In a display of admiration and fraternity, Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola has publicly congratulated his longtime friend and fellow titan of industry, Aliko Dangote, on a milestone many thought decades away: the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaching its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

Otedola, a prominent investor and industrialist in his own right, described the achievement not merely as a personal triumph for Dangote but as a transformational moment for Nigeria and the African continent. “Supplying up to 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit daily,” he noted, “changes our energy narrative entirely and conserves precious foreign exchange.”

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The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. For decades, Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has paradoxically depended on imported fuel to meet domestic demand, a reliance that drained foreign reserves, distorted energy pricing, and stifled industrial growth.

With the Dangote Refinery now fully operational, the country is taking a historic step toward self-sufficiency, potentially easing pressure on the foreign exchange market and stabilizing the naira. Otedola optimistically predicted that trading below ₦1,000 to the dollar could become a reality before year-end, a development that would resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

But this milestone is only part of Dangote’s vision. Otedola highlighted the industrialist’s ambitious expansion plans, a $12 billion investment to increase refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, along with production of 2.4 million tons of polypropylene and 400,000 metric tons of Linear Alkyl Benzene, a key component in detergent manufacturing. “Work has commenced in earnest,” Otedola remarked, emphasizing Dangote’s relentless pursuit of growth and innovation.

Beyond the raw numbers, the refinery symbolizes a broader narrative of Africa reclaiming control of its industrial destiny. Otedola framed the achievement as both a personal and national triumph, celebrating Dangote not only for his ingenuity but also for his commitment to job creation, infrastructure development, and economic transformation.

Sharing his congratulatory message on his personal X page, @realFemiOtedola, he wrote, “Aliko is not stopping here. This is about building capacity, creating jobs, and reshaping our economic destiny. Nigeria is proud of you.” His message resonated widely, a reminder that behind the industrial feats are human stories of friendship, mentorship, and shared vision.

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As the refinery powers up, supplying millions of litres of fuel daily, the impact is already reverberating across the nation. From stabilizing energy supply to conserving foreign exchange, from creating thousands of jobs to attracting global attention, the Dangote Refinery stands as a beacon of African ingenuity and ambition.

Otedola’s tribute captures both the personal admiration he holds for Dangote and the national pride at stake. “Congratulations once again, my brother. Nigeria stands with you. Your vision is not just monumental, it is historic.”