Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Aliko Dangote
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the Dangote Refinery as proof that Africa has the capacity to execute projects at massive scale, saying the state is focused on creating an environment where future investors can build more easily.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday during the Lagos-New York 2026 Learning Journey, hosted by the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki.
Reflecting on the transformation of the Lekki corridor, the governor said the location where the refinery now stands was once open water and had to be reclaimed and developed through significant investment and determination.
“Everything built here had to be imagined, funded and reclaimed from the sea. That is the essence of Lagos. We do not wait for perfect conditions, we build the ground first,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, demonstrates what is possible when ambitious ideas are backed by the resources and commitment required to execute them.
He commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing in Lagos despite the enormous cost and challenges involved, while also acknowledging the contributions of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Forum of Young Global Leaders, The Africa Center and Afreximbank.
According to the governor, discussions around scale have a special meaning for Lagos, which he said is home to more than 25 million people and is already dealing with challenges that other African cities may face in the future.
“Every pressure Africa will face this century, Lagos is confronting this decade, our roads, our energy and a young population that will either drive our growth or define our risk,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He stressed that the priority of his administration is not only to celebrate existing achievements but to ensure that the infrastructure and systems being developed can support future investments.
“A system that relies on one man’s extraordinary willpower is not a business model. That is heroism and heroism is hard to repeat. The true test of this refinery is whether the next builder has a smoother path,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration’s investments in the Lekki corridor are aimed at creating the infrastructure needed to attract more businesses and reduce the difficulties faced by investors.
He listed the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Free Zone, the Blue Line rail project and the planned airport among projects designed to make the corridor more attractive to investors.
“That is our commitment. Everything my administration has put into the Lekki corridor, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Free Zone, the Blue Line rail, and the upcoming airport is designed so the next investor does not have to build from scratch,” the governor said.
The governor also urged members of the Young Global Leaders travelling to New York for the next phase of the programme to move beyond discussions and build partnerships capable of delivering tangible results across Africa.
“Africa is not waiting for permission to build. We have already started and now is the time to turn conversations into partnerships,” Sanwo-Olu said.
