The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has received international recognition from the Project Management Institute (PMI), with board members describing the facility as a world-class model of excellence in project execution.
The commendation followed a visit by PMI’s global representatives, led by Lenka Pincot, Chief of Staff to the PMI Global CEO, who were hosted by Dangote Group’s in-house Community of Practice for Project Management. Pincot praised the refinery as “a living embodiment of PMI’s purpose”, highlighting its transformative impact on Nigeria and the global energy sector.
“At PMI, we maximise project success to elevate our world. This Guinness World Record project exemplifies that purpose in action. Beyond the structures and systems, we see the broader impact on your country, economy, people, and environment,” Pincot said.
Dangote Industries executives attributed the refinery’s success to the company’s structured project management and meticulous planning. Devakumar Edwin, Vice President, Oil and Gas, noted that the refinery’s execution was guided by well-defined planning, risk management, and disciplined execution, consistent across the group’s businesses, including cement, sugar, salt, and fertiliser.
Nglan Niat, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, said the company had invested in internal project management capabilities, including the procurement of 300 PMI licences and the launch of a Project Management Development Programme in 2024, to embed a culture of disciplined execution and accountability.
PMI officials emphasized the broader significance of the refinery. George Asamani, PMI Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, described the achievement as a phenomenal milestone with potential lessons in sustainability, artificial intelligence, and construction management. Adeola Akande, Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa at PMI, hailed the refinery as a symbol of visionary leadership and Nigeria’s growing project management capability.
Dangote’s Community of Practice, formally launched in June 2025, was highlighted as a key initiative to transform project management from an individual skillset into an organisational asset, reinforcing the group’s commitment to excellence and transformative impact across its operations.
