Business
What Dangote tells the Nigerian Society of Engineers about his $20 billion refinery
Honestly, if we had fully understood the magnitude and challenges involved, we may not have even attempted it, but it is because we didn’t know what we were into initially and the courage, or maybe, naivety that got us this far.”
Africa’s richest man and industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said yesterday he wouldn’t have attempted his $20 billion refinery, if he knew the magnitude of the facility.
He also expressed commitment to empowering Nigerian engineers and building local capacity through large-scale industrial projects.
Dangote, who stated this while receiving a delegation from Lagos branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, said the scale of the refinery was more than initial expectations.
He said: “Honestly, if we had fully understood the magnitude and challenges involved, we may not have even attempted it, but it is because we didn’t know what we were into initially and the courage, or maybe, naivety that got us this far.”
He noted that the refinery was designed to handle massive volumes, with up to 600 product vessels and about 240 crude oil tankers expected annually.
Dangote noted that challenges faced during the construction included working on swampy terrain, extensive land clearing, and dredging 65 million cubic metres of sand from 20 kilometres offshore, adding that all were in an effort to protect local fishing communities.
“We had to uproot thousands of trees manually. Sand-filling alone took 18 months but we made a deliberate decision to preserve the livelihoods of those living nearby, especially fishermen,” he said.
The Chairman, NSE Lagos branch, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, described the refinery as an engineering breakthrough for Africa.
She commended Dangote’s initiative, saying the refinery was the first in Africa.
“The NSE exists to ensure continuous professional development, and this visit is part of that goal.“We have heard so much about the refinery but seeing it ourselves has been extraordinary,’’ Kesha said
Business
CBN Urges Public, Businesses Not To Reject N100 Bank Note
The CBN strongly cautions individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and other economic agents against rejecting the standard N100 banknote. Such rejection constitutes a violation of the provisions of the CBN Act and undermines confidence in the national currency.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated that the Standard N100 note is still a legal tender and must be accepted for all transactions.
The apex bank made the appeal in a statement by its Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, clarifying that it became necessary, following reports that some members of the public were rejecting the note.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN hereby reiterates that both the commemorative N100 banknote and the standard N100 banknote remain legal tender in Nigeria and must be accepted for all transactions nationwide,” she said.
“The commemorative N100 banknote, which was introduced to mark Nigeria’s centenary, did not replace the existing standard N100 banknote.
The CBN strongly cautions individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and other economic agents against rejecting the standard N100 banknote. Such rejection constitutes a violation of the provisions of the CBN Act and undermines confidence in the national currency.
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 410 Sell ₦1,415
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,870 Sell: ₦1,890
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 575 Sell ₦1,595
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦190 Sell ₦205
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,379.07
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,840.64
EURO (EUR) ₦1,572.00
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,704.45
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8. 48
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦202.76
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.38
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,859. 53
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦367.24
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦84. 08
The Nigerian naira continued its recent slide against the US dollar, hitting N1,405 per dollar in the parallel (black) market amid ongoing demand pressures and supply constraints in the foreign exchange market.
According to traders and market sources, the local currency weakened from around N1,400–N1,410 levels in recent sessions, reflecting persistent challenges in the forex ecosystem. In contrast, the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate, managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stood firmer at approximately N1,368–N1,370 per dollar.
This development widens the gap between the official and parallel markets, raising concerns among analysts about liquidity, speculative activities, and the impact on importers and businesses reliant on dollar transactions.
The depreciation comes as Nigeria grapples with balancing foreign exchange inflows, including remittances and oil revenues, against high demand for imports, debt servicing, and other obligations. Market watchers attribute the pressure partly to seasonal factors and limited dollar availability at official windows, pushing more transactions toward the parallel market.
The CBN has been intervening through various measures to stabilize the naira, including boosting liquidity and tightening monetary policy. However, the parallel market remains sensitive to real-time supply and demand dynamics.
Economists warn that sustained volatility could fuel inflation and affect consumer prices, particularly for imported goods. Stakeholders are calling for stronger policy coordination to narrow the official-parallel rate disparity and restore greater confidence in the forex regime.
Further updates will depend on upcoming CBN interventions and inflows in the days ahead.
Atiku warns Presidency: Nothing must happen to Obi, El-Rufai
ADC Releases Lawyers Engagement Advisory To State Chapters
CBN Urges Public, Businesses Not To Reject N100 Bank Note
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business2 days agoBACITI graduates pioneer set of 40 Senior Customs Officers
-
News3 days agoSenate hails Nigerian Army at 163
-
Sports2 days agoParis FC confirm Liam Rosenior as new coach
-
News2 days agoFG Launches First University Innovation POD, Targets Research-Led Industrial Growth
-
News3 days agoLagos, FG Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting Over Coastal Highway Flooding
-
Sports2 days agoTeam Nigeria Athletes Commend NSC Support Ahead of Glasgow 2026 Games
-
Sports2 days agoBelgium beat US 4-1 to Reach World Cup Quarter-finals
-
Politics1 day agoJUST IN: “I Might Not Be Alive to Contest 2027 Election” – Peter Obi