Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, has urged young entrepreneurs and scholars to embrace ambition and resilience in order to drive meaningful transformation in the world.
During a visit by scholars from Harvard Kennedy School to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Dangote shared insights into the power of determination and strategic knowledge in business success.
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Addressing 50 scholars from 18 nationalities, he underscored the importance of having a ‘can-do’ spirit, citing the Dangote Group’s groundbreaking achievement in constructing the world’s largest single-train refinery. According to him, ambition must be fueled by the desire to leave a lasting impact rather than just financial gain.
“Life is not worth living without ambition. In this life, nothing is impossible. Don’t allow fear to hold you back. Be knowledgeable about the business you want to pursue. I am not an engineer, but I don’t engage in any business I don’t understand,” he stated.
Recounting the skepticism surrounding the refinery project, Dangote revealed that many had doubted its feasibility, arguing that only sovereign nations could undertake such a venture. However, despite challenges—including supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic—the refinery came to life, proving naysayers wrong.
Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar, highlighted the engineering marvel of the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, describing it as an unprecedented feat. He noted that Dangote Group served as its own Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor—an approach never before attempted on such a scale.
“Our Group President has a plaque in his office that reads, ‘Nothing is impossible.’ That mindset drives our success. When we entered the cement industry, Nigeria was a major importer. Today, we export cement. With this refinery, we now have the capacity to meet Nigeria’s refined product needs while exporting surplus,” he added.
The visiting scholars expressed admiration for Dangote’s visionary leadership, describing the refinery tour as a highlight of their trip, which included stops in Ghana and Abuja.
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Sheffy Kolade, the Harvard Kennedy School delegation leader, commended Dangote Group as a beacon of Nigeria’s economic resilience. “The Dangote Group is not just a business; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s strength and potential. It is inspiring to witness such an achievement firsthand,” she said.
Emphasizing the transformative impact of the refinery, Kolade added, “Thousands of people earn their livelihoods here. This project has created jobs, strengthened energy security, and reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products. It is a game-changer for Africa.”
The scholars departed with a renewed sense of possibility, echoing Dangote’s belief that, with ambition and perseverance, nothing is impossible
