Emefiele said Dangote has invested around 50 percent of the $9 billion required for the refinery project as equity while the balance would come as loans from local and foreign lenders.

On completion by 2020, the 650,000 barrels a day oil refinery will meet Nigeria's demand for petroleum products and for exports, which will generate foreign exchange for the West African country, Emefiele said.

(Reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Catherine Evans)