PMI Hails Dangote Refinery as Model of Project Management Excellence
By Patience Ikpeme
The Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Board members have hailed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a world-class model of excellence in project execution, describing it as a remarkable demonstration of global project management standards and a living embodiment of PMI’s purpose.
During a visit to the Dangote Refinery complex, the international delegation praised the scale, sophistication, and precision of the facility, noting its alignment with international benchmarks in project delivery.
Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Mr. Devakumar Edwin, attributed the success of the refinery and other major projects under the Dangote Group to the company’s strong foundation in structured project management and meticulous planning.
“The Dangote Group is particularly known for its disciplined project management approach and robust structuring,” Edwin said. “This is reflected in the detailed groundwork we put in place long before executing any project, as seen in our other businesses—cement, sugar, salt, and fertiliser. From inception, the refinery project has been guided by a well-defined framework of planning, risk management, and execution discipline that aligns with global project standards. This consistency across our businesses has been key to delivering large-scale, world-class projects that make a tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy and Africa’s industrial growth.”
Group Chief Human Resource Officer of Dangote Industries, Nglan Niat, explained that the company had made deliberate investments in developing internal project management capabilities and fostering a culture of excellence across its operations.
“We embarked on a strategic partnership with PMI and procured 300 PMI licenses to ensure a strong and sustainable pipeline of certified professionals,” Niat said. “Last year, we launched the Project Management Development Program designed to build internal capacity and embed a culture of disciplined execution, accountability, and efficiency in how we deliver projects across the Group.”
She noted that the first cohort of the programme began in October 2024, and several participants have earned their PMI certifications. “The second cohort commenced in July 2025 with a significant number of our staff members onboarded and certified,” she added.
According to her, the company also established a Project Management Community of Practice (CoP) in partnership with its Project Management Office (PMO). “This community meets monthly to discuss project challenges, share best practices, and deepen understanding,” Niat said. “Looking ahead, we plan to expand subsequent cohorts to fully utilise the 300 licenses and make project management excellence a core organisational strength—one that drives innovation, value creation, and consistent project delivery across the Group.”
Speaking on behalf of the PMI Global CEO, Lenka Pincot expressed admiration for the refinery’s execution and its transformative impact on Nigeria and the global energy landscape.
“At PMI, we have a clear purpose—we maximise project success to elevate our world. This Guinness World Record project is a beautiful example of that purpose in action,” Pincot said. “Everything we’ve seen here is awe-inspiring. Beyond the structures and systems, we also see the broader impact you’re creating for your country, your economy, your people, and the environment. You’ve essentially built an entire ecosystem.”
Pincot added that PMI looked forward to strengthening collaboration with Dangote Industries, particularly in sharing project insights with PMI’s global community. “There is so much the global project management community can learn from this achievement—from the scale of ambition to the discipline of execution. By sharing these insights and lessons, we can inspire and equip professionals around the world to deliver projects that truly elevate societies,” she stated.
Also speaking, PMI Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, described the visit as a phenomenal experience, noting that the refinery represents a significant milestone for Africa’s industrial development.
“Partnering with Dangote to witness and support this achievement will be a great opportunity,” Asamani said. “Beyond that, we’re also looking at what’s next, especially in areas like Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, and construction management.”
He disclosed that PMI has invested significantly in AI tools and certifications tailored for project professionals, noting that the PMI Infinity platform and the new PMI-CP (Construction Professional) certification could further strengthen collaboration with Dangote’s Community of Practice.
The Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa at PMI, Adeola Akande, described the refinery as a symbol of visionary leadership, excellence in execution, and Nigeria’s growing project management capability.
“The Dangote Refinery represents the best of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure and demonstrates how effective project management can transform not just organisations but entire economies,” Akande said.
In his presentation titled “Community of Practice: The Journey So Far at Dangote Industries Limited,” Shehu Adekanye, an executive member of Dangote Group’s Community of Practice and Group Head of Procurement, shared the progress the company has made in embedding project management as a strategic capability across its operations.
He noted that the Dangote Community of Practice was formally launched in June 2025 with a clear mission to evolve project management from an individual skillset into an organisational asset. “The formation of the CoP reflects our commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in project management—positioning Dangote Industries not just as a business powerhouse, but as a model for organisational transformation,” Adekanye said.
According to him, the initiative was developed to address earlier challenges such as lack of standardised templates and processes, fragmented knowledge sharing, limited networking among project professionals, and missed opportunities to adopt global best practices and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
He disclosed that membership of the CoP grew from seven in March to 32 by September 2025, with 67 staff members enrolled in PMP training across various functions. “We’ve created a platform for continuous learning and innovation. Our work is already influencing how projects are conceived, executed, and evaluated across the business,” he stated.
Adekanye also appealed to PMI leadership to grant formal accreditation for the Dangote CoP to award Professional Development Units (PDUs) for its activities. He further called for greater inclusion in PMI events across Nigeria and Africa and access to specialised training and webinars to empower the group. “We believe that with PMI’s support, we can scale up our impact and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of project management across Africa,” he added.
