President Tinubu toured the $20bn Dangote Refinery alongside tech mogul Bill Gates and billionaires Femi Otedola and Abdul Samad Rabiu. Described as a “historic moment,” the visit reaffirmed Nigeria’s industrial ambitions and Tinubu’s long-held vision for the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
- President Bola Tinubu and Bill Gates visited the $20bn Dangote Refinery on Friday.
- Femi Otedola called the refinery the “eighth wonder of the modern era.”
- Dangote and rival Abdul Samad Rabiu were both present.
- Tinubu commissioned multiple road projects tied to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
- Otedola praised Tinubu’s 20-year vision for transforming the Lagos coastline.
The refinery’s tour, more than a photo-op, symbolises the alignment of political power and industrial capital. Tinubu’s Lekki vision, once seen as overly ambitious, now stands tall in concrete and steel. The presence of both Dangote and Rabiu, often cast as competitors, hints at a moment of unity within Nigeria’s elite business class. With Gates in attendance, it also sends a strong signal internationally: Nigeria is open for serious business.
This visit reaffirms the narrative of Nigeria’s rise as a regional industrial power. As Tinubu’s reforms unfold, stakeholders will be watching to see whether these mega projects translate into everyday prosperity.
