Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest industrialist and founder of the Dangote Group, hosted Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Saturday for a facility tour and strategic discussions on expanding the refinery’s marine and port infrastructure, industry sources say.

The meeting, held at the Lekki complex in Lagos, saw Dangote outline significant upgrades aimed at enhancing the refinery’s logistics capabilities and export potential as the facility continues to ramp up operations. Officials highlighted plans to strengthen the offshore marine terminal, positioning it to handle increased tanker traffic as production volumes rise and international shipments grow.

Ojulari engaged with Dangote’s management team on the technical features of the infrastructure and raised questions on capacity, operational efficiency and scalability of the marine facilities. The discussions reflected ongoing efforts to improve energy supply chains, reduce logistical bottlenecks and support Nigeria’s transition toward becoming a regional export hub for refined energy products.

During the visit Dangote also provided context on his long-term export and logistics strategy, emphasising how expanded port facilities could strengthen Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector by increasing vessel calls, reducing turnaround times and attracting global trade partnerships.

The refinery, which is already handling large tanker movements and supplying refined fuels domestically and to neighbouring regions, is part of broader plans to expand capacity and infrastructure. For example, the facility is targeting around 600 tanker calls annually once it reaches full production of roughly 650,000 barrels per day, indicating significant marine traffic growth that expanded port capacity would support.

Stakeholders say improved port infrastructure linked to the Dangote Refinery could catalyse economic growth, enhance export earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s energy market competitiveness across West Africa and beyond.