Nigeria opens Africa’s biggest oil refinery as it tries to boost struggling sector

By CHINEDU ASADU
Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has opened Africa’s biggest oil refinery, with hopes it will help the country achieve self-sufficiency and become a net exporter of refined petroleum products. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who built the $19 billion project, said Monday that the new oil refinery would “enable us to meet not only our country’s demand but also to become a key player in Africa’s and global market.” Some analysts have called it a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s struggling oil and natural gas sector, while others say its capacity could be limited by oil theft.