President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has urged young entrepreneurs and scholars to rise above limitations and pursue ambitious goals that will transform the world.
During a visit by a delegation from the Harvard Kennedy School to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Dangote shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the principles that have driven his success.
The visiting scholars described Africa’s richest man as a visionary and fearless investor, lauding his ability to provide innovative solutions to pressing economic challenges.
The Power of Ambition and Resilience
Addressing the 50 scholars from 18 different nationalities, Dangote emphasized the importance of a relentless drive and a ‘can-do’ spirit, using the Dangote Group’s successful construction of the world’s largest single-train refinery as an example.
“Life is not worth living without ambition. Nothing is impossible. Do not allow fear to hold you back,” Dangote advised. “Be knowledgeable about the business you want to pursue. I am not an engineer, yet I don’t engage in any business I don’t fully understand.”
Dangote recalled being advised against building the refinery, as critics argued that such a massive project was only feasible for sovereign nations, not individuals. Despite challenges, including financial hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic, he remained committed to seeing the project through.
A Monumental Industrial Achievement
Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar, highlighted the audacity required to build the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery. According to him, the group served as its own Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, an achievement never before attempted at this scale.
“Our Group President has a plaque in his office that reads, ‘Nothing is impossible.’ This mindset has driven us through every challenge. When we transformed Nigeria from one of the world’s largest cement importers into a net exporter, we applied the same principle. Now, after decades of dependency on imported refined products, Nigeria has the capacity to meet all its fuel demands and export surplus products,” Devakumar stated.
To realize this vision, the Dangote Group made significant investments, including dredging 65 million cubic meters of sand to elevate the project site, procuring 330 cranes and lifting equipment due to the lack of local capacity, and constructing the refinery on 250,000 piles—the highest number ever used for a single project.
Harvard Scholars Praise Dangote’s Legacy
The scholars, visibly impressed by the refinery and fertilizer plant, hailed Dangote’s ambition and its impact on Africa’s economic transformation. They described their visit as the highlight of their academic tour, which also included stops in Ghana and Abuja.
Sheffy Kolade, leader of the Harvard Kennedy School student-led Nigeria-Ghana Trek and a global advisor for the Women for Prosperity project at the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, expressed admiration for Dangote’s impact on Nigeria’s economy.
“The Dangote Group is not just a business—it is a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience and a testament to the extraordinary feats we can accomplish when we set our minds to something. We have witnessed economic progress firsthand, from the largest single-train refinery in the world to a fertilizer plant exporting to South America and the U.S.,” Kolade said.
She emphasized the refinery’s role in job creation, energy security, and foreign exchange growth, commending Dangote for his contributions to Africa’s economic landscape.
“My team consists of 50 individuals from nearly every continent—policy experts, business strategists, sustainability advocates, and development specialists from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Public Health, Stanford, and MIT. We are here because we value impact, sustainability, and progress.”
A Global Inspiration for Entrepreneurs
Darrow Merton, a Foreign Service Officer with the United States, praised Dangote’s perseverance and problem-solving approach. “Dangote’s ability to break barriers and build a world-class refinery despite challenges is an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere. His resilience and innovative mindset set him apart.”
As the world looks to Africa for emerging economic opportunities, Dangote’s legacy continues to inspire future leaders and entrepreneurs to dream big, defy limitations, and create lasting impact.
