In a heartfelt letter, Nigerian industrialist Femi Otedola extended his congratulations to Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, for the historic achievement of the first fuel shipment from the Dangote Refinery. Otedola began by expressing his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support in realizing this monumental accomplishment. He described the day as a victory for every Nigerian who dreams of a brighter future, stating, “Today, we all stand a little taller.”
Reflecting on their shared history, Otedola recounted the ambitious vision that he and Dangote had 25 years ago to revolutionize Nigeria’s energy sector. They had established the Blue Star Consortium to acquire stakes in the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries—20% for Otedola and 51% for Dangote. However, their plans were thwarted by what Otedola termed “an utterly obnoxious act” by the government of the day, which canceled their stakes and halted their vision. Despite this setback, Otedola praised Dangote for his tenacity, saying, “You never gave up on the dream we shared. You carried the torch forward, igniting a spark that has today become a roaring flame.”
Otedola emphasized the significance of the first fuel shipment from the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “miraculous feat.” He contrasted this achievement with the failures of the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries, which have remained dormant despite billions of dollars spent on supposed maintenance. Otedola commended Dangote for silencing the skeptics and proving the naysayers wrong, including those who doubted the project’s success and those who actively opposed it.
“You have not just built a refinery; you have liberated us from the chains of economic dependence that have held this nation back for far too long,” Otedola wrote. He lauded Dangote’s determination for ending Nigeria’s reliance on foreign fuel imports, breaking the stranglehold of “local cabals” who profited from keeping the country in a state of economic dependence.
Recalling Dangote’s earlier success in revolutionizing Nigeria’s cement industry, Otedola predicted a similar transformation in the fuel sector. He urged depot owners to dismantle their facilities and sell them as scrap while they still had value, noting that the world has changed and those who fail to adapt will be left behind.
Otedola also reflected on his own experience in the depot business with Zenon Petroleum, which he established to address the inefficiencies of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Zenon quickly became the largest diesel supplier in Nigeria, filling a critical gap in the market. However, Otedola acknowledged that Dangote’s refinery now stands as a symbol of what is possible when one has the courage to dream big and the persistence to make it a reality.
“Aliko, you have my deepest admiration and respect,” Otedola concluded. “Congratulations to you and the entire board, management, and staff of Dangote Refinery on this monumental achievement. This is not just a victory for you but for every Nigerian who dares to dream. May this be just the beginning of even greater things to come.”
With these words, Otedola underscored the importance of Dangote’s accomplishment for the future of Nigeria, reaffirming his support and appreciation for his fellow industrialist’s unwavering commitment to transforming the nation’s economic landscape.
