Nigerians have been urged to protect national investments designed to improve their lives rather than undermine them.
The Senior General Manager, Corporate Communications at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Sunday Esan stated this at a public lecture themed “Unlocking Opportunities for Businesses in a Challenging Economy: The Role of the Media – Roadmaps to Energy Security in Nigeria” during the 2025 NUJ Press Week in Lagos.
He said the refinery, which has operated for over two years, has contributed significantly to stabilising Nigeria’s economy by reducing petrol and diesel importation, supporting the naira, creating jobs, and strengthening the nation’s energy supply chain.
Esan noted that Nigeria’s fuel import bill dropped from $2.6 billion in Q1 2024 to $1.2 billion in Q1 2025, attributing the decline largely to the refinery’s output. He added that its production capacity is being reviewed upward from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels, with global refiners including ARAMCO and U.S. buyers showing interest in its jet fuel.
On media responsibility, he called on journalists to set the right agenda and report accurately on developments within the energy sector. He invited NUJ members to visit the refinery for firsthand insights.
Also speaking, Vanguard Newspaper’s Energy Editor, Mr. Udeme Akpan, said businesses thrive when supported by credible and factual reporting. He urged media organisations to uphold trust and integrity in their work.
Earlier, NUJ Chairman Mr. Adeleye Ajayi said the lecture provided an opportunity to dissect persistent challenges in Nigeria’s energy industry. He affirmed the Union’s long-standing contribution to national agenda-setting and called on the Dangote Group and other stakeholders to sustain open collaboration with the media.