ABUJA/Nigeria: Dangote Industries has been identified as the largest single institutional contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for a significant 6% share—double the 3% figure previously recorded—following the $20 billion Dangote Refinery that came on stream last year.
This revelation was made by United Nations climate and energy expert from Mauritius, Mr. Arvind Ramlowat, during a national stakeholders consultation and data collation workshop for the third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3), held in Lagos for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He noted that the contribution of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s economy is enormous, with even higher projections ahead, driven by the impact of the new refinery.
Ramlowat described the Dangote Refinery as a game-changing private sector investment with potential to transform the economic landscape. “Oil and gas has a great impact on the economy, and with the refinery now operational, the GDP boost is significant,” he said, underlining the role of the energy sector in Nigeria’s growth trajectory.
On the environmental front, Ramlowat highlighted the refinery’s role in emission reduction. According to him, Dangote Refinery is producing blue hydrogen used in fertilizer production, with waste components being recycled—an indicator of the company’s shift towards sustainability.
He stressed that the refinery operates with state-of-the-art technolog y, making it more eco-friendly than older refineries. “It’s a modern plant using modern technology. Stakeholders must now collect data directly from them to assess their contributions to greenhouse gas emission reduction,” he stated.
Ramlowat also lamented the poor availability of accessible climate data in Nigeria, saying, “Data are available, but they’re domiciled in places we can’t reach. We need data in usable formats to support our work. There must be better strategies to extract and manage this information.”
In her opening remarks at the workshop, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Madueke—represented by Mr. Okebugwu Chukwumeka—said the event marked a vital step in updating Nigeria’s climate commitments and technical analysis framework.
She explained that the NDC is Nigeria’s pledge under the Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. “This revision process is not just a routine update; it’s a moment to raise our ambition, align our national development with scientific data, and showcase our progress since the last submission,” she said.
Madueke added that the series of consultations will play a crucial role in establishing a credible and robust data base, essential for effective climate action. She emphasized the need for strong technical support and collaboration to meet national and global climate targets.
The consultation workshop is being sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with other development agencies.
