Dangote to create 95,000 jobs as refinery capacity expands

By Damilare Adeleye

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has hinted that the planned expansion of the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day will create employment for at least 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of construction.

In a statement issued by the company, Dangote made the disclosure at the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the expansion project as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

He said the initiative reflects the group’s sustained commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and long-term economic growth.

“This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises 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.

He added that, upon completion, the expanded refinery would surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery to become the largest refinery in the world, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

Dangote further noted that the project would rely significantly on local expertise, opening up opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals across the country.

He said the expansion aligns with the group’s broader vision of driving industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Beyond job creation, the company stated that the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, promote technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. It is also projected to enhance fuel security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and generate substantial foreign exchange savings for the economy.

“The scale of this expansion reflects our confidence in Nigerian capacity and our belief that Africa can build world-class infrastructure that meets global standards,” Dangote stated.

In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Rahamon Bello, described the recognition 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 also 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.

The refinery, which currently has a capacity of 650,000 bpd, is expected to be scaled up to 1.4 million bpd over the next three years.