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By Lawrence Agbo
Aliko Dangote has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s power sector, warning that without reliable electricity, the country’s drive for industrialisation and economic independence will remain elusive.
Speaking on Friday at the induction ceremony of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he was honoured as a Distinguished Honorary Fellow, Dangote stressed that improved power infrastructure is critical to unlocking local manufacturing and sustained economic growth.
He urged engineers and policymakers to prioritise the development of efficient power grids, describing electricity as the backbone of any industrial economy.
“True economic independence is impossible without technical sovereignty. We must fabricate, design and build what we consume. We will remain the fiercest advocates for local content, which is key,” he said, adding that building a robust power system is central to achieving that goal.
“Distinguished fellows, our task is urgent. We must build power grids. This power is important; we must build it. I keep repeating, we must build it. Together, let us engineer a Nigeria that works not just for some, but for everyone,” he said.
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Dangote noted that his group’s industrial projects, including large-scale refining operations, rely heavily on stable energy supply, underscoring the need for systemic reforms in the power sector.
The president of the Dangote Group also reiterated his commitment to advancing industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa, while urging professionals to take the lead in shaping infrastructure development.
“Our vision has always been clear, to make Nigeria, and by extension Africa, self-sufficient in products we once heavily imported, and to demonstrate that this ambition is both practical and achievable at scale,” he said.
He further cautioned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could disrupt aspects of engineering design, calling on industry players to adapt and remain competitive.
At a recent summit in Nairobi, Dangote also disclosed plans to expand industrial capacity beyond Nigeria, including a proposed 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery in East Africa as part of a broader $40bn investment strategy.
