…Says project created jobs, not displacement
…Insists industrialisation, not importation, will grow Africa’s economy
President/Chief Executive of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Monday declared that the refinery has ended Nigeria’s five-decade struggle with fuel queues.
Speaking at a conference to mark the first anniversary of the launch of petrol production from the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, Dangote said Nigerians had battled fuel scarcity since 1975, but the trend had been halted since the refinery commenced operations on September 3, 2024.
In his words: “We have been battling fuel queues since 1975, but today Nigerians are witnessing a new era.”
The businessman explained that despite stiff opposition and warnings from investors and industry players, the refinery has transformed Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, reduced petrol prices, and secured energy independence for the country.
He revealed that between June and the first week of September 2025, the refinery exported more than 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), stressing that Nigeria has now become a refining hub in Africa.
Dangote also dismissed fears that the project would displace workers, insisting that instead, it has created thousands of jobs. He noted that the deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks would create at least 24,000 jobs nationwide.
“We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more. Our employees earn salaries three times the minimum wage. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance for their families, and a lifelong pension,” he said.
The industrialist emphasised that Africa’s growth depends on industrialisation and not reliance on imports, warning that importing cheap foreign goods only exports jobs and deepens poverty. He urged the National Assembly to enact legislation backing the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy to safeguard local industries.
Dangote further announced plans to expand the refinery’s capacity to 700,000 barrels per day in its second year of operation, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s largest exporter of refined products, polypropylene, and fertiliser.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, industry partners, workers, and Nigerians for their support, while assuring that the refinery remains open to collaboration with stakeholders in the downstream oil sector.