Sayyu Dantata: Building Africa’s Largest Lube Plant
The seeds planted by entrepreneur and investor, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, when he founded MRS Oil really came to fruition in the last decade.
Sayyu’s MRS got its big break when it was hired by the NNPC in 1998 to dispose of Low Residue Stock (a by-product of the refining process).
Dantata had previously learnt the ropes as Director of Engineering and Transport at Dangote Group, one of Africa’s biggest conglomerates, and he must have picked up a thing or two from Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.
A case in point was the audacious acquisition of Chevron about 12 years ago, following its divestment from the downstream sector of Nigerian oil and gas which it operated under its Texaco brand.
Notwithstanding the numerous challenges affecting the downstream sector of Nigerian oil and gas, MRS has maintained its over 10000 direct and indirect workforce. Recently, MRS started the rebranding of its stations and acquisition of new ones. Its positive influence over the Nigerian economy is further boosted by the group building the biggest integrated blending plant in Africa.
When completed, it will blend 2.5million litres of various lubricants, aerosols and other household items daily.
In line with its forward-looking outlook, the packaging of the materials will be derived fully from recycled materials. A further 5000 Nigerians will benefit from this. Dantata’s MRS has helped in fueling the Nigerian economy by getting refined petroleum products to the nooks and crannies of the country. It has further consolidated its position as one of the leading Nigerian oil companies by quietly expanding its operations by exporting beyond the the shores of Nigeria.
An avid polo player, Dantata has interests in other sectors beyond oil and is a director at Hydro Alternative Energy, the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited and Transcorp.