President Buhari Inaugurates Africa Largest Urea Fertilizer Plant in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari has this afternoon inaugurated the Dangote Fertiliser Plant in Lagos, estimated to have cost about 2.5 billion dollars.

The plant is reputed to be Africa’s largest granulated urea fertilizer complex and occupies 500 hectares of land in Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos Nigeria.

Shortly before performing the tape cutting ceremony, President Buhari commended the Dangote group for building the plant which he said would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on importation and increase its foreign earnings.

Describing the group as the second biggest employer of labour in the country, President who expressed optimism that the fertilizer plant would further create employment, reduce poverty and increase wealth, expressed confidence that the group will replicate the success recorded in the cement industry in the fertilizers segment.

Announcing that he is looking forward to inaugurating the Dangote refinery later in the year, President Buhari assured all Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to continue to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive

“Let me assured all Nigerians that our government is focused on providing enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, we will continue to improve on infrastructure, power and security and the relevant laws and regulations that will drive investments in the economy” the President states.

In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked President Buhari for supporting the growth of Lagos and also commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for taking up the task of bridging the gap in employment.

“On behalf of the very very large community and millions of direct and indirect jobs that this complex will be providing, I want to thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote, he could have made a different decision about what God has given to him, but he took the audacity and said this is what I want to be remembered for. For me, it’s how do we replicate several Aliko Dangote in our midst”

While welcoming dignitaries to the event, the President of Dangote Group of Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote stated that the company was working with farmer associations, corporate farms, NPK blenders, development partners and state governments all over Nigeria, as well as governments across Africa and beyond who are looking for sustainable approach to improve soil and farm yields.

“Our goal is to make fertilizer available in sufficient quantities and quality for our teeming farmer, assuring greater agricultural outputs. To help realize this potential, we are rolling out initiatives that will transform the agricultural sector, including essential services for all small and medium scale farmers” Alhaji Aliko announced.