Simon Guobadia, founder and CEO of Simcol Group, could not contain his joy when he visited the Dangote Oil Refinery in Lagos for the first time. The businessman shared a clip on Facebook as the vehicle he was in drove past the refinery, expressing gratitude for witnessing the facility in his lifetime.
Entrepreneur Thrilled to Visit Dangote Oil Refinery
In a Facebook post on June 11, Simon described the refinery as the largest single-train refinery in the world, built by a Nigerian in Nigeria. He stated, "Eighteen years of trading energy products has finally brought me face to face with the source of what has brought me so much joy for so long. Yesterday, I visited the Dangote Oil Refinery for the first time, ahead of its impending IPO. Commissioned in 2024, it is the largest single-train refinery in the world, built by a Nigerian, in Nigeria. Blessed to be home to witness not just what is possible, but what has already been done, and done in a way that places the African continent’s trajectory unmistakably within an industrial renaissance. Grateful to see this in my lifetime."
The Dangote Oil Refinery, situated on a 2,500-hectare site, is located in the Lekki Free Zone in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Simon's visit comes ahead of the Dangote Group's impending IPO, which has generated significant interest among investors and entrepreneurs.
Reactions to the Entrepreneur's Visit
Legit.ng compiled some reactions to the entrepreneur's visit. Tamesha Ellison commented, "Yes, I'm so happy for you going to be getting back on your feet big things big plans big blessings come in your way just looking at something and the structure that's just what God is doing with your heart structure." Frank Evbin said, "Big bro, you can build a small-sized refinery in Edo State, you will be forever appreciated." Ebes Olumese remarked, "I need to check it out when I visit home. Outstanding." Kernel Seemunz stated, "AWESOME! I've been watching the impending African Union... It is time for the global shift. I pray it happens sooner." Adewale Ajibade shared a nostalgic memory: "Reminds me of my early days KRPC. 1996 when the refinery in Kaduna was still producing. The sound of pumps whirling, the flare visible up to Station Round about, collecting crude & distillate samples for lab analysis every 4 hours… 30 Years later I can still draw the lines, map the process and remember the various distillates and their flash points. There was a country indeed. Glad to see another functional refinery in my lifetime."
Related Stories
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a chemical engineer from South Africa shared her experience after visiting the Dangote Refinery in Lagos. Additionally, a FUTO scholar who visited the refinery weeks ago alongside the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs Nnenna N. Oti, and other members of the Governing Council, shared what impressed him most. He noted the advanced technology, fully automated systems, and the facility's scale, which he said reflected vision, innovation, and excellence.
