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Sanwo-Olu Hails Dangote Refinery as African Success Story

Published

1 month ago

September 10, 2026

Sanwo-Olu hails Dangote Refinery as proof Africa can execute major projects, highlighting its 650,000bpd capacity and Lagos’ growing investment corridor

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, as a powerful demonstration of Africa’s ability to deliver major projects at global scale.

Sanwo-Olu made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during the Lagos-New York 2026 Learning Journey at the refinery, where he joined participants hosted by the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Also read: FG Scraps Student Data Costs, Plans Under-16 Internet Rules

Reflecting on the transformation of the Lekki corridor, Sanwo-Olu recalled that the area occupied by the refinery was once open water before extensive reclamation and construction turned it into one of Nigeria’s most prominent industrial zones.

“A decade ago, the ground beneath our feet was open water. Everything built here had to be imagined, funded and reclaimed from the sea,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“That is the essence of Lagos. We do not wait for perfect conditions; we build the ground first.”

The governor pointed to the refinery’s stated capacity of 650,000 barrels per day as evidence of what can be achieved when capital, infrastructure and long-term ambition are brought together.

“Producing 650,000 barrels a day, this refinery proves Africa can execute at a massive scale,” he said.

The comments came as leaders and young global figures examined the theme of scale and Africa’s capacity to develop infrastructure capable of supporting rapid economic and population growth.

Sanwo-Olu said the issue was particularly relevant to Lagos, which he described as a city already experiencing pressures that other African cities are likely to face in the coming decades.

“We came together to talk about scale, but scale is not an abstract concept to us. It is the daily reality of governing over 25 million people,” he said.

The governor identified transport, energy and the needs of a rapidly growing young population among the pressures confronting Lagos.

“Every pressure Africa will face this century, Lagos is confronting this decade: our roads, our energy, and a young population that will either drive our growth or define our risk,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also used the occasion to stress that successful development should not depend solely on the determination of individual entrepreneurs.

He argued that governments must create systems and infrastructure that make it easier for subsequent investors to execute ambitious projects.

“A system that relies on one man’s extraordinary willpower is not a business model. That is heroism and heroism is hard to repeat,” he said.

“The true test of this refinery is whether the next builder has a smoother path.”

The governor linked the refinery’s development to broader infrastructure investments along the Lekki corridor, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Lekki Free Zone and the Blue Line rail project.

He said the infrastructure was designed to create an integrated investment environment in which businesses would not have to build every supporting facility from scratch.

“That is our commitment. Everything my administration has put into the Lekki corridor, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Free Zone, the Blue Line rail, and the upcoming airport is designed so the next investor does not have to build from scratch,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor thanked Aliko Dangote for investing in Lagos and acknowledged the contribution of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Forum of Young Global Leaders, Africa Center and Afreximbank to the learning programme.

The Dangote Refinery is one of the most significant industrial developments in Nigeria’s recent history. Located in the Lekki Free Zone, the complex was built to process crude oil for domestic and international markets and has become a major part of Nigeria’s drive to increase local refining capacity.

For Lagos, the refinery is also part of a wider transformation of the Lekki axis from a largely undeveloped coastal area into an increasingly important industrial, logistics and investment hub.

Sanwo-Olu urged the Young Global Leaders taking part in the programme to move beyond discussions about Africa’s potential and develop practical partnerships capable of delivering measurable results.

Also read: FG Scraps Student Data Costs, Plans Under-16 Internet Rules

“Africa is not waiting for permission to build,” he said. “We have already started, and now is the time to turn conversations into partnerships.”

sports

Maresca Says Man City Unity Grows Amid Financial Case

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Maresca says Man City unity grows amid the club’s financial case as the manager focuses on results ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Ipswich.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has said the club’s players, supporters and leadership have become more united amid the Premier League financial case, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Manchester on Friday, 16 October 2026, ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Ipswich Town.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

Maresca said he was not personally troubled by the controversy, arguing that the team had little control over the proceedings and should concentrate on performances on the pitch.

“Since the noise, from my personal point of view, I can see the fans, the club, the team more together, for sure,” Maresca said.

His comments come as City continue their Premier League campaign under the scrutiny of a significant disciplinary case.

An independent commission found the club guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s financial regulations, following allegations concerning its financial reporting and commercial arrangements between 2009 and 2018.

Manchester City have rejected the findings and appealed the decision, maintaining that they have evidence to challenge the ruling. The appeal means the dispute remains unresolved, with the eventual outcome potentially carrying significant consequences for the club.

For now, Maresca has sought to keep the focus on football, presenting the team’s response to the controversy as a matter of discipline and collective responsibility rather than public argument.

“There is noise around the club but we need to try to make our noise,” he said. “That means win at Anfield, try to win tomorrow against Ipswich. This is the way we can make our noise. A different kind of noise; we’re not able to control that.”

City’s recent results have offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands of competing across several fronts.

The club recorded a 3-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Anfield before suffering a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Maresca described the European loss as a learning opportunity, saying City had struggled to maintain their balance after conceding twice in quick succession.

He nevertheless pointed to the response after half-time as evidence that the players could recover from difficult spells.

The defeat has added importance to Saturday’s meeting with Ipswich, as City look to maintain their domestic momentum while managing the demands of a busy schedule.

Asked how he was coping with the attention surrounding the financial proceedings, Maresca was direct.

“I’m very happy. I don’t feel any kind of stress about the outside situation because it’s something I don’t control. I just focus on how we can try to win the next games,” he said.

The manager also indicated that he trusted the club’s leadership and had discussed the case with officials. However, he preferred to wait for the legal process to reach an outcome before drawing conclusions about the matter.

The independent commission’s findings have intensified scrutiny of City’s financial conduct, with the case involving alleged breaches over a nine-season period.

The commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to financial misconduct and associated failures to comply with the Premier League’s investigation, according to reports on the ruling.

City have appealed and continue to contest the findings. The distinction between the commission’s conclusions and the club’s position remains central to the ongoing dispute.

The case has also renewed debate about financial regulation in English football, including the effectiveness of oversight and the consequences clubs may face when they breach competition rules.

Any eventual sanctions will depend on the relevant proceedings and their outcome.

Against that background, Maresca’s emphasis on unity reflects the club’s immediate priority of sustaining results while the case progresses.

His comments do not resolve the questions raised by the commission, but they indicate how he intends to manage the situation within the dressing room.

Saturday’s fixture presents a further test. Ipswich have had a full week to prepare, while City return to domestic action after their midweek European commitment.

Maresca acknowledged that the difference in preparation time could make the contest demanding.

A victory would give City the opportunity to extend their Premier League winning run to seven matches, reinforcing their position near the top of the table.

The manager’s challenge is to ensure that the off-field controversy does not distract from the consistency required over a long season.

For supporters, the coming weeks will bring two parallel developments: City’s pursuit of domestic and European success, and the progress of the financial appeal.

The club’s results may shape the mood around the team, but the disciplinary proceedings will ultimately be determined by the relevant legal and regulatory process.

Maresca’s message was that City should concentrate on the part of the situation they can influence.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

With Ipswich next on the schedule, the immediate measure of that approach will be the team’s performance on the pitch, while the broader questions surrounding the club’s financial conduct remain outstanding.