Economy

CBN lifts Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser plants with N100billion intervenation fund. —-to save Nigeria 41% forex on fuel importation in 2022.

Tunde Ayodele

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) may have committed a whooping sum of N100billion to the multi- billion dollars Dangote petrochemical and fertiliser plants as an intervention funds.

This was disclosed by Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the apex bank while on a guided tour of the project in Lagos.

He promised that the CBN was willing to offer similar assistance to such landmark projects capable of impacting on the Nigerian economy .

“The CBN had given a N100 billion intervention to the projects and we are ready to support Nigerian businesses set up to uplift the country economically”, he declared.

Meanwhile,the $15billion oil refinery being constructed by Dangote Group is to save Nigeria from spending about 41 per cent of its foreign exchange on importation of petroleum products next year.

This is coming as the Federal government is thinking of removing fuel subsidy completely.

Government has been complaining it has been spending N120billion monthly to subsidise fuel in the country, saying that petrol price will go up to N240 per litre.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all costs associated with either demurrage from import, costs associated with freight would be totally eliminated when Dangote refinery becomes operational in 2022.

It was gathered that based on agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the oil companies, the Dangote Refinery could buy its crude in naira, refined it and produce it for Nigerians’ use in naira.

Already, there is hope that the refinery would be completed by the first quarter of 2022, thereby putting an end to the issue of petrol subsidy in the country.

To ensure the take -off of the project in 2022, the management of refinery has embarked on preparing young Nigerian graduates to take over the management of its 650,000 barrels per day single train refinery.

The company has already trained several Nigerian engineers in some of the world’s biggest refineries in India and other parts of the world to gain first-hand experience on how to manage a refinery of this magnitude.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote said in Lagos during the tour of the refinery by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, that the country was blessed with great talents that were capable of running a refinery of this size if given the necessary encouragement.

He noted that the outbreak of the Corona Virus last year, which forced many expatriates out of the construction site, made it possible for the company to identify great talents that exist within the country.

Dangote explained: “One thing that gladdens my heart is the young Nigerians we have trained to take over the operation of the Dangote Refinery. These young Nigerians are the ones that are going to run the refinery when it becomes operational.

“We want a situation whereby the operation of the refinery will be the sole responsibility of Nigerian graduates.

“We can start the process by bringing in team leaders to keep giving them that training they require to run a world class refinery. However, we will ensure that Nigerian engineers, welders and others are the ones running the refinery. We have created that capacity, human capacity, equipment capacity and every other thing to ensure the successful operation of the refinery by Nigerian engineers.”

Also, Dangote noted that while the refinery would serve Nigeria and other countries across the world, the fertiliser and petrochemicals plants were capable of generating $2.5 billion annually.

He said: “I will like to thank the President personally for helping us and assisting us in making sure that we are now back on track.

“At the tour, the CBN governor said that arrangement was in place to enable refinery sell refined crude to Nigeria in naira when it commences production.

Emefiele said: ”Based on agreement and discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the oil companies, the Dangote Refinery can buy its crude in naira, refine it, and produce it for Nigerians’ use in naira. That is the element where foreign exchange saved for the country becomes very clear.

“We are also very optimistic that by refining this product here in Nigeria, all those costs associated with either demurrage from import, costs associated with freight will be totally eliminated.”

The CBN governor stressed that the refinery would make the price of Nigeria petroleum products cheaper in naira.

He added: “If we are lucky that what the refinery produces is more than we need locally, you will see Nigerian businessmen buying small vessels to take them to our West African neighbours to sell to them in naira.

“This will increase our volume in naira and help to push it into the Economic Community of West African States as a currency.”

“I am saying that by this time next year, our cost of import of petroleum products for petrochemicals or fertiliser will be saved, which will save Nigeria’s reserve.

“It will help us so that we can begin to focus on more important items that we cannot produce in Nigeria today.”

Economy

Dangote group remits N402.3 billion tax to government coffers in 2024

Gloria Odion

The Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiaries, have disclosed that it paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, declared during a meeting with some senior media executives who visited him in his Lagos Office.

He said Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited among others, remitted a total of N402.319billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.

Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised Dangote group and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chiejina told his visitors that as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries have never shieded away from its obligations either to the government in the form of tax payment at all levels or to host communities in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to him, the Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades.

He noted that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

Dangote Group and its subsidiaries were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market.

Dangote Cement Plc was adjudged as the Largest Commercial Paper Quotation on FMDQ and Single Largest Corporate Debt Issue on FMDQ.

Also, Dangote Industries Ltd also emerged as the “Most active corporate in the foreign exchange market”.

Economy

Again, Dangote Refinery crashes petrol price from N890 to 825.

Funso OLOJO

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, by N65.00, from N890 to N825 per litre, effective from 27th February 2025.

According to the management of the Refinery, the price adjustment is is strategic designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in anticipation of the upcoming Ramadan season.

It is also meant to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.

The latest adjustment marks the second price reduction of PMS in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60.00 earlier in the month.

Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.

“These reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy, and have also ensured that Nigerians did not experience the perennial fuel scarcity and price hikes typically associated with the yuletide season” the local refiner stated.

“Nigerians will be able to purchase the high-quality Dangote petrol at the following prices in all our partners’ retail outlets.

” For MRS Holdings stations, it will sell for N860 per litre in Lagos, N870 per litre in the South-West, N880 per litre in the North, and N890 per litre in the South-South and South-East respectively.

“The same product will also be available at the following prices in AP (Ardova Petroleum) and Heyden stations: N865 per litre in Lagos, N875 per litre in the South-West, N885 per litre in the North, and N895 per litre in the South-South and South-East.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery assures the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, as well as a surplus for export to enhance the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

” The company calls on marketers to support this initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of this effort.

“This collective action will contribute to the broader economic recovery plan led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is committed to making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and establishing the country as a leading oil export hub” the company concluded.

Economy

Dangote Refinery reduces ex- depot price of petrol from N950 to N890

Funso OLOJO

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has an announced a marginal reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N950 to N890, effective from Saturday, 1st February 2025.

According to the official statement from the company, the strategic adjustment is a direct response to the positive outlook within the global energy and gas markets, as well as the recent reduction in international crude oil prices.

“As part of Dangote Refinery’s unwavering commitment to transparency and fairness, this price revision reflects the ongoing fluctuations in global crude oil markets, as highlighted in the refinery’s statement on 19th January, when a modest increase was implemented due to the previously rising international crude oil prices.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery firmly believes that this reduction from N950 to N890 will result in a meaningful decrease in the cost of petrol nationwide, thereby driving down the prices of goods and services, as well as the overall cost of living, with a positive ripple effect on various sectors of the economy.

“In addition, Dangote Petroleum Refinery calls upon marketers to collaborate in this effort, to ensure that these benefits are passed on to the Nigerian populace.

” This collective initiative will contribute to the wider economic recovery plan led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is dedicated to making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and positioning the country as a leading oil export hub” the statement concluded.