President Bola Tinubu has applauded the Dangote Group for its contribution to job creation in Nigeria.
Tinubu, who visited Dangote’s compartment at the ongoing 29th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, praised the company for its numerous investments in Nigeria while urging it to keep on the good work.
He said: “You are doing well. Keep doing the good things you are doing. Keep investing in Nigeria.”
Dangote is the biggest employer of labour after the government in Nigeria. The company also is a significant employer of labour across Africa, where it has its cement plants in operation and is also one of the continent’s biggest philanthropists.
In his speech earlier while declaring the annual summit open, the President called on the private sector operators to join in the development of the Nigerian economy, adding that the country can only develop through collaborative effort.
Experts who spoke at the summit said Nigeria was waiting for the Dangote Refinery, expressing optimism that it would bring about a significant boost to the nation’s economy.
Speaking at a Panel titled: ‘Unlocking our Competitive Advantage’, Group Managing Director of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Olakunle Alake, said it was gladdened that President Tinubu’s administration understands the role of the private sector while reinforcing the need for collaboration.
Alake said Nigeria must grow its economy and especially the manufacturing sector to be able to play a pivotal role in the Africa and Continental Free Trade Area.
He identified weak productive sector, lack of requisite skills and lack of infrastructure as impediments to the smooth take-off of AFCFTA.
Alake urged governments of West African countries to fix the problems hindering the implementation of ECOWAS protocols, regretting that business across West African countries is still difficult.
