By Akin Adebayo , Lagos
The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has described the Dangote Group as a game changer to the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, the vice president said Dangote Group is an example of a game changer private sector that has been supporting the economy in many areas, saying “Once the Dangote refinery comes on stream, it will help with the forex issue and create jobs for our people.”
Osinbajo, who was referring to the ongoing construction of the Dangote Refinery with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels a day, said the government is proud that a Nigerian company has undertaken to construct such a gigantic refinery and the largest in the world.
He said the Muhammadu Buhari government has a very clear policy and objective, urging Nigerians to have confidence in the government change mantra.
Declaring the summit opened, President Muhammadu Buhari said the private sector is key to his administration, adding that the theme for the 22nd summit, ‘Made in Nigeria’, is apt in view of the need to look inwardly and support local manufacturers.
The chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Kyari Bukar commended the Dangote Group for its sponsorship, said the private sector is the engine of the economy and that it was time to diversify to other sectors.
He said the summit, “Is an opportunity to tell ourselves the bitter truth and swallow the hard truth.”
Also, the minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said the government as a regulator was not only interested in policing the private sector but providing the enabling environment for local businesses to thrive.
An associate professor from the Lagos Business School, Doyin Salami said the made in Nigeria concept was apt but that it must cover production, global competitiveness, inclusiveness and value addition to global economy.
While the minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said his ministry is bringing in big ticket player into mining sector, just as he said that the sector has great potentials as Nigeria diversifies its economy.
The Dangote Group is one of the major sponsors of the three-day Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
