The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, has described Aliko Dangote as the driving force behind the successful launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), even as he disclosed that his ministry was targeting a rise in manufacturing’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to about 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.

Enoh made the commendation on Wednesday while leading a high-level delegation on an extensive tour of the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.

The minister was accompanied by officials including the Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Manpower, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund and the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

“He is Nigeria’s champion. I mean, it is even understated when they call him Africa’s wealthiest man,” the minister said, adding that Dangote’s presence at the NIP’s launch in February “gave it the prominence it now has”.

The minister said that his ministry had met its first 90-day implementation benchmark under the industrial policy, and said the manufacturing GDP targets were closely tied to continued investment from Dangote’s businesses. He also confirmed that discussions were ongoing with relevant authorities over a naira-for-crude arrangement for the refinery, expressing hope that talks would conclude favourably.

On the visit’s outcomes, Enoh said his ministry would present Dangote with a three-point request built around industrial training and skills development, including support for an estimated 65,000 additional trained personnel required for the refinery’s next phase of expansion; downstream value-chain development around the petrochemicals complex and closer collaboration on free trade zone projects such as the one recently commissioned in Ondo State.

The minister also expressed delight about the level of the refinery’s automation, which he said had reduced human presence on site largely to security personnel.

Responding, Dangote, Founder and President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Enoh to the industry portfolio, describing the minister’s commitment to the sector as unmatched by his predecessors.

“I must also thank the President for appointing people like Senator Enoh. We have had a lot of ministers of industry, but the commitment that we have from him, I can tell you, is none compared to the rest. His commitment is absolute,” he said.