By Sacred Ground to Global Giant: How the Ooni of Ife Saved the Dangote Refinery
Sacred Ground to Global Giant: How the Ooni of Ife Saved the Dangote Refinery
In a recent revelation that highlights the intersection of modern industrialization and ancient African tradition, Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, credited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, with a pivotal spiritual intervention that allowed the construction of the Dangote Refinery to proceed.
The story, which emerged during the launch of a 100 billion education support fund in December 2025, underscores the challenges faced when building a $20 billion industrial giant on land steeped in local history and ancestral beliefs.
The Spiritual Deadlock
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, sits on roughly 6,180 acres (2,500 hectares) of land. While the land was acquired for approximately $100 million from the Lagos State Government, the physical presence of the site presented a unique hurdle: it was home to 19 sacred shrines.
According to Aliko Dangote:
• Contractor Fear: Construction workers and contractors were reportedly “dreaded” getting close to the shrines, fearing spiritual repercussions or community backlash.
• Project Stall: The presence of these spiritual landmarks caused significant delays in the early stages of the project, as no one was willing to disturb the sites.
The Ooni’s Bold Intervention
The Ooni of Ife, as the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people, stepped in to resolve the impasse. Rather than delegating the task, the Monarch personally visited the construction site to address the spiritual concerns of the host community.
”The Ooni went there personally. He stood right there and said, ‘Remove all of them. Anything they want, let the gods come and talk to me.'”
— Aliko Dangote
By taking personal responsibility for the relocation of the shrines, the Ooni provided the cultural “clearance” necessary for workers to proceed without fear. This act shifted the perceived spiritual burden from the project developers to the traditional authority of the Throne of Ife.
Significance of the Site
The refinery is not just a commercial venture; it is an engineering marvel that required the clearing of vast swaths of swampy terrain and the management of complex community relations.
Modernity vs. Tradition
The removal of the shrines remains a talking point in Nigeria’s industrial history. It serves as a reminder that large-scale infrastructure projects often require more than just financial capital and engineering they require social and cultural capital.
The Ooni’s intervention is seen by many as a pragmatic balance between preserving respect for traditional institutions and advancing the nation’s economic independence. Without this singular act of “traditional bravery,” the world’s largest single-train refinery might have remained a blueprint on paper, stalled by the very land it was meant to transform.
