The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has received high praise from the Project Management Institute (PMI) for its outstanding execution and world-class project delivery, marking a new milestone in Nigeria’s industrial achievement. Members of PMI’s global board, led by Lenka Pincot, Chief of Staff to the PMI Global CEO, visited Nigeria this week and described the $20 billion refinery as “a living embodiment” of project excellence and transformation in the global energy landscape.
Speaking during the visit, Pincot expressed admiration for the refinery’s impact on Nigeria’s economy and its broader influence on Africa’s industrial growth. “Everything we’ve seen here is awe-inspiring,” she said. “Beyond the structures and systems, we see the broader impact you’re creating for your country, your economy, your people, and the environment. You’ve essentially built an entire ecosystem.” She added that PMI looks forward to deepening collaboration with Dangote Industries to share insights and project management best practices with its global community.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, attributed the refinery’s success to the company’s structured project management culture. According to Edwin, Dangote’s strength lies in its disciplined planning, risk management, and execution frameworks that align with international standards. “From inception, the refinery was guided by a well-defined framework of planning and execution discipline,” he said. “This consistency has been key to delivering large-scale projects that have a tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy and Africa’s industrial future.”
Further highlighting the company’s dedication to excellence, Nglan Niat, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, noted that Dangote Industries had invested heavily in developing internal project management capabilities. Through its partnership with PMI, the company secured over 300 PMI licenses and launched a Project Management Development Programme to build a sustainable pipeline of certified professionals. “We’re building a culture of disciplined execution, accountability, and efficiency across the Group,” she stated.
PMI’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, and Head of Community, Adeola Akande, described the refinery as a symbol of visionary leadership and Nigeria’s growing project management capability. “The Dangote Refinery represents the best of Africa’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure,” Akande said. “It shows how effective project management can transform not just organizations but entire economies.” The visit concluded with a presentation by Shehu Adekanye, Group Head of Procurement, who shared the strides made by the Dangote Community of Practice in embedding project management as a strategic capability across the organization.
source: punch