By Adesakin Adefemi
The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, has pledged the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with the Dangote Group to ensure the security of the Dangote Refinery, a strategic national asset located in Lagos.
This follows a courtesy visit by Rear Admiral Mustapha to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, where discussions centered on reinforcing a secure maritime environment to support economic prosperity.
The Nigerian Navy has been working to strengthen maritime security in the region, with recent collaborations with international partners, including the Indian Navy, to enhance security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
Alhaji Dangote commended the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in ensuring maritime safety and security along Nigeria’s coastal and offshore corridors, describing it as fundamental to industrial development.
The Dangote Refinery is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth, with its strategic location on the open sea giving Nigeria a natural advantage in exports and maritime trade. Maritime experts say the refinery could redefine Nigeria’s maritime landscape, unlocking massive job opportunities, strengthening local content, and positioning the country as a key hub for coastal and international shipping.
The Nigerian Navy’s efforts to combat piracy and enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea have been recognized, with a significant decline in crude oil losses reported in 2025.
The Navy has launched Operation Delta Sentinel, a new maritime security initiative designed to curb crude oil theft, secure critical oil assets, and support the federal government’s ambition to ramp up crude production.
The Dangote Group has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy to ensure energy security for Nigeria.
Alhaji Dangote has clarified that there is no competition between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), emphasizing cooperation over competition.
The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime security and supporting the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive through the blue economy.
The Navy’s efforts are expected to contribute to the country’s economic development and enhance maritime security in the region.
The Dangote Refinery has already generated revenue for port facilities and created jobs that would be sustained over time.
The refinery’s impact is expected to go beyond its terminals, attracting other forms of trade, boosting exports and imports, and increasing activity at ports that previously recorded low traffic.
The Nigerian Navy’s collaboration with the Dangote Group is part of its broader efforts to engage with private-sector stakeholders and promote maritime security.
The Navy has also been working with other government agencies to enhance security and support economic activities in the maritime sector.
The Dangote Refinery is a significant investment in Nigeria’s energy sector, and its security is crucial to the country’s economic development.
The Nigerian Navy’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with the Dangote Group is a positive step towards ensuring the security of this strategic national asset.
