Billionaire industrialist and President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has encouraged young entrepreneurs and scholars to push beyond limitations and pursue their ambitions, emphasizing that “nothing is impossible.”
Dangote made these remarks on Wednesday when a delegation of Harvard Kennedy School scholars visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Speaking to 50 scholars from 18 different nationalities, Dangote underscored the importance of ambition, determination, and a “can-do” mindset, using the Dangote Refinery as an example of what is possible through vision and perseverance.
“Life is not worth living without ambition. In this life, nothing is impossible. Don’t allow fear to hold you back. Be knowledgeable about the business you want to pursue. I am not an engineer, but I don’t engage in any business I don’t understand,” he stated.
Dangote revealed that many doubted the feasibility of his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, arguing that such large-scale projects were only achievable by governments. However, despite challenges—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—he and his team remained committed to completing the world’s largest single-train refinery. The facility now meets global standards, produces Euro V products, and can process over 100 different crude oil types.
“Nothing Is Impossible”—The Dangote Group’s Mindset
Vice President of Oil & Gas, Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar, highlighted the immense challenges faced in building the $19 billion refinery, stating that the group acted as its own Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, a feat rarely attempted for a project of this scale.
“Our Group President has a plaque in his office that reads, ‘nothing is impossible.’ This mindset drove us to achieve excellence, just as we did in the cement industry, where we transformed Nigeria from a major importer to a net exporter. Today, Nigeria no longer depends on imported refined products, and we now produce surplus supplies of jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel for export,” Devakumar said.
He detailed the extensive investments made to realize the project, including:
- Dredging 65 million cubic meters of sand to raise the site’s height by 1.5 meters as a precaution against sea-level rise.
- Importing 330 cranes and lifting equipment due to limited local capacity.
- Building the world’s largest granite quarry to supply materials such as stone columns and coarse aggregates.
- Using 250,000 piles in construction—one of the largest-ever uses for a single project.
Harvard Scholars Praise Dangote’s Vision
The Harvard delegation, after touring the refinery and fertilizer plant, expressed awe at the scale and ambition of the projects.
Sheffy Kolade, leader of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Nigeria-Ghana Trek, described the Dangote Group as a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience and economic transformation.
“The Dangote Group is not just a business. It is a symbol of the bright future ahead for Nigeria. This refinery and the fertilizer plant, which exports to South America and the U.S., showcase the extraordinary progress happening in the country. It proves that anything is possible with determination and vision,” Kolade stated.
As a social entrepreneur and Forbes Business Council member, Kolade highlighted the economic impact of Dangote’s ventures. “This refinery has created thousands of jobs, ensured energy security, and reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, boosting our foreign reserves. We deeply appreciate what you are doing for our country and for Africa,” she added.
Global Interest in Nigeria’s Economic Growth
Kolade also noted the diverse backgrounds of the 50-member Harvard delegation, which included students from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Public Health, Stanford, and MIT.
Another scholar, Darrow Merton, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, praised Dangote’s vision and resilience, describing him as an inspiration for entrepreneurs worldwide. He commended Dangote’s ability to provide innovative solutions despite adversity, proving that large-scale industrial transformation is achievable.
The visit served as a testament to Dangote’s influence in shaping Nigeria’s economic future, demonstrating that with ambition and perseverance, “nothing is impossible.”
