President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Dangote Group for its role in advancing Nigeria’s economic development, noting that its investments across strategic industries have helped expand local production, create employment opportunities, reduce import dependence, save foreign exchange and strengthen the country’s industrial base.
Tinubu made the remarks during a visit to the Dangote Group pavilion at the ongoing 32nd Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the President at the event.
The President highlighted the Group’s achievements across its various business operations, stressing that private-sector investments are essential to increasing production capacity, driving economic activities and promoting national development.
The Dangote Group has established operations in several industries, including cement manufacturing, fertiliser production, sugar refining, salt processing and petroleum refining.
According to the President, investments in these sectors promote local value addition, generate employment and strengthen domestic supply chains, while helping Nigeria reduce its reliance on imported goods.
He noted that his administration is working to establish an enabling environment that allows both the public and private sectors to invest, grow their operations and create productive jobs.
The Dangote Group is the second-largest employer of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government.
The 2026 Nigeria Economic Summit, themed “Growth That Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” was officially opened by Tinubu, who defended the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reforms and highlighted the need for industrial harmony and economic growth driven by the private sector.
The summit convenes policymakers, business executives, investors and other stakeholders to explore practical measures for accelerating economic growth, enhancing productivity, creating jobs and ensuring that the gains of economic expansion benefit a wider segment of the Nigerian population.
Tinubu’s commendation highlights the significance of continued cooperation between the government and private businesses in developing a stronger, more competitive and resilient economy.
The President observed that Nigeria had operated below its economic potential for many years, stressing that achieving meaningful development requires sustained effort.
“We came to rewrite the story of a nation that has performed below its potential for far too long,” Tinubu said, adding that “there is no shortcut for economic development.”
With its investments across key industries, the Dangote Group continues to play a significant role in Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts. Its operations are positioned to expand domestic manufacturing, reinforce supply networks and contribute to the country’s wider economic development goals.
The conglomerate’s diversified business interests also support several vital areas of the economy, supplying products and services for construction, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and other productive sectors.
Among its major investments is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lagos. The facility has the potential to reshape Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector by expanding local refining capacity and reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
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