The Federal government has pledged full support for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as it seeks to expand its production capacity from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels of oil per day.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made the announcement in Lagos at the opening of the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week on Monday.
The pledge follows recent comments by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, who said the refinery aims to reach the new production target within the next three years a move that would make it the world’s largest single-train refinery.
Lokpobiri hailed the expansion as “a monumental development” for Africa’s energy sector, saying it would strengthen regional energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuel.
“The Dangote Refinery’s expansion will not only benefit Nigeria or West Africa; it will make an impact globally. The federal government will support him all the way,” the minister said.
He added that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.
Lokpobiri defended the policy, saying the subsidy removal created a more competitive and stable market.
“With deregulation, prices are stable, availability has improved, and products are now more accessible,” he said.
The minister also emphasised that investment in oil and gas remains critical to Africa’s development, even as countries move toward renewable energy.
Citing UN data, he noted that about $540 billion in annual investment is needed in global oil and gas infrastructure to meet rising demand.
“Africa, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, cannot afford to abandon hydrocarbons. Expanding production and refining capacity is vital for energy security,” he added.
Adetunji Oyebanji, chairman of the advisory board for OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week, also urged stronger collaboration and policy consistency across the continent.
“Energy sustainability is not just about preserving resources,” Oyebanji said. “It’s about ensuring today’s growth doesn’t compromise tomorrow’s prosperity.”
He stressed that Africa must shift from being a raw energy exporter to becoming a centre for innovation and value addition.
Both speakers agreed that Nigeria’s ongoing energy reforms have positioned it as a key player in shaping Africa’s future energy landscape.