Business
Otedola Hails Dangote’s Refinery as a Landmark Achievement for Nigeria
In a heartfelt letter to Aliko Dangote, Nigerian business magnate Femi Otedola extended his congratulations on the first fuel shipment from the Dangote Refinery, a project that has been 25 years in the making.
Otedola praised Dangote for his resilience and determination in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape despite setbacks.
Otedola recalled their initial joint effort in the Blue Star Consortium to acquire stakes in the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries.
However, their vision was thwarted when the government canceled the agreement. While the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries have since struggled, Otedola noted that Dangote’s refinery has emerged as a game-changer.
In his message, Otedola emphasised how Dangote’s achievement has freed Nigeria from its long-standing dependence on foreign fuel imports, highlighting how this refinery marks the end of economic reliance on foreign powers and local fuel cartels that have historically exploited the nation.
The business leader also likened Dangote’s success to his earlier transformation of the Nigerian cement industry, predicting that fuel imports will soon follow the same fate as now-defunct cement imports. He advised depot owners to adapt quickly or face obsolescence.
Otedola expressed his deepest admiration for Dangote’s unwavering vision and determination, offering warm congratulations to the entire team behind the Dangote Refinery, and hailing it as a victory for every Nigerian who dares to dream of a brighter future.
This letter comes as a resounding endorsement of the Dangote Refinery’s contribution to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in energy production, ushering in a new era for the country.
Aliko Dangote is stepping down as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc after two decades of steering the company’s growth and transformation. His retirement will officially take effect on June 16, 2025.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the company’s secretary, Temitope Hassan, who praised Dangote’s contributions since he took over leadership in 2005. Over the years, he has played a major role in shaping Dangote Sugar into a top player in Nigeria’s sugar industry, overseeing its expansion and pushing key reforms in governance and operations.
During his time at the helm, the company rolled out several major projects focused on backward integration, setting up large-scale sugar production facilities in Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa. These projects were designed to boost local output and cut down on the country’s reliance on imported sugar.
As part of a planned succession process, the board has named Arnold Ekpe as the incoming Chairman. Ekpe, who is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director on the board, will take over on the same day Dangote retires.
Ekpe brings decades of leadership experience, having served as Group CEO of Ecobank and held top positions across different industries. The board expressed confidence in his ability to lead the company into its next phase while also thanking Dangote for his outstanding service and dedication throughout the years.
Ecobank Group is reportedly set to raise up to $250 million through an Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital offering in order to strengthen the bank’s capital base.
This was revealed during the company’s annual general meeting held in Togo on the 29th of May, 2025. According to the meeting, the bank stated that the conversion price for the shares will be based on the higher of the prevailing exchange rate and the floor price of $0.02 per ordinary share.
The speaker stated “As we cast our eyes into the future and reimagine all possibilities—rising competition from banks, fintechs, and non-bank financial institutions, as well as factors such as geopolitics, regulations, and capital markets—we cannot afford complacency.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently assured stakeholders about the state of the banking sector in Nigeria, stating that the banking sector can still be trusted and is secure.
The assurance was shared in a statement signed by Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN. In the statement, it was emphasized that stakeholders should disregard any negative news concerning the banking sector, as such reports are misleading.
The CBN also highlighted the security of the deposits entrusted to it, stating, “There is no reason for the public to worry about the security of their deposits.” The extent of the measures and security in place was also emphasized by the director in the statement.
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