Nigerians are set to gain direct ownership in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, announced that shares in the facility would be available for purchase within the next four to five months. Shareholders will have the unique flexibility to receive dividends in either Naira or US Dollars, a commitment previously made by Dangote, who stated, "people will have a choice either to get their dividend in Naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn dollars." This significant disclosure was made during a landmark visit by Engr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), accompanied by members of the company’s board and executive management team.

The visit marked the first official tour of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery by senior management of the state-owned energy firm, signifying a new era of robust collaboration between Dangote Group and NNPC. Alhaji Dangote underscored the profound relationship, describing the NNPC not just as a guest but as a crucial shareholder, holding a 7.25 percent stake on behalf of Nigerians. He lauded NNPC’s confidence, stating, "NNPC invested in us even when we were not sure whether the refinery would be successful. That shows the level of confidence." This stake is notably larger than Elon Musk's holding in Tesla, highlighting its substantial nature.

Beyond its primary function as a refinery, Dangote revealed plans for the facility to evolve into a comprehensive industrial hub, with strategic collaborations extending into upstream oil and gas operations with NNPC. A key aspect of this industrial strategy includes the production of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB), a vital raw material for detergent manufacturing. The facility is poised to produce 400,000 tonnes of LAB, a capacity projected to meet the entire demand across the African continent, significantly surpassing existing production capacities in Algeria (100,000 tons) and Egypt (50,000 tons).

Engr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, during his tour, expressed immense pride and described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a "symbol of technological audacity and national pride." He praised Aliko Dangote's leadership and vision for embarking on such a "huge project" that has firmly positioned Nigeria on the global energy landscape. Ojulari noted that while he had previously reviewed reports and videos of the refinery, witnessing the facility firsthand provided an entirely different perspective, confirming it as "the front line of world-class technology."

Initially, concerns existed regarding the refinery’s "single train" configuration, a design often viewed with operational risks. However, Ojulari, who admitted to sharing these worries, was thoroughly impressed by the facility’s advanced architecture and built-in redundancies. He clarified that despite being a single train, the plant leverages the best of modern technology, including digital technology, AI technology, advanced electronics, and mechanical systems, to ensure "incredibly high availability" and operational efficiency, debunking perceptions based on older designs.

Furthermore, Ojulari conveyed profound satisfaction with the refinery's performance metrics, revealing that the plant had exceeded its projected capacity. He proudly announced that the facility, initially designed for 650,000 barrels per day, had been tested to operate at 661,000 barrels per day. "What we saw on the screen today, which excited me, is 661. This plant was supposed to be 650. None of us ever thought it would ever touch even 550," Ojulari stated, emphasizing that these were live operational parameters, not merely reported figures, a fact he believes every Nigerian should be proud of.

Looking ahead, Dangote has briefed NNPC on plans for significant expansion. Ojulari expressed excitement about the intention to double the plant's capacity through "replication" – a strategy involving building exact copies of existing, proven designs. This approach will leverage common facilities, significantly reducing the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and lowering unit operating costs due to operational synergies. This expansion promises an even more efficient and capable facility, further solidifying Nigeria's energy independence and industrial prowess.