President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the planned expansion of the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) will generate employment for up to 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of construction.
Dangote made this disclosure over the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the refinery expansion as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
He noted that the project reflects the Group’s continued commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic growth. According to him, the scale of the expansion will require a large workforce of engineers and skilled professionals.
“This award is particularly meaningful because it recognizes what we are doing in the industry, especially our commitment to employing engineers and skilled professionals. At the peak of construction for this expansion, we expect to have about 95,000 skilled workers on site, and we will continue to grow,” Dangote said.
Upon completion, the expanded refinery is expected to surpass the Jamnagar Refinery in India, positioning it as the largest refinery in the world and significantly boosting Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.
Dangote emphasized that the project would rely heavily on local expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled workers. He added that the initiative aligns with the Group’s long-term vision to drive industrialisation across Nigeria and the African continent.
Industry observers say the expansion could have far-reaching economic benefits, including stimulating local manufacturing, enhancing technology transfer, and deepening Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. It is also expected to improve fuel security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and generate substantial foreign exchange savings.
“The scale of this expansion reflects our confidence in Nigerian capacity and our belief that Africa has the ability to build world-class infrastructure that meets global standards,” Dangote added.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Rahamon Bello, described the honour as well deserved, noting that Dangote’s contributions extend beyond infrastructure development.
“What makes this recognition fitting is not only what has been built, but what has been inspired. Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s journey continues to motivate a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to think boldly, act decisively, and believe in the immense possibilities within our continent,” Bello said.
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