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 will generate employment for about 95,000 skilled workers at peak construction.
Dangote made the disclosure over the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the project as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial development.
According to him, the expansion reflects the Group’s commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
“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.
He noted that upon completion, the expanded refinery would surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery to become the largest refinery in the world, significantly boosting Nigeria’s refining capacity.
Dangote added that the project would rely heavily on local expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, and artisans, while advancing the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Beyond job creation, the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, encourage technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. It is also projected to improve fuel security, reduce reliance on petroleum imports, and deliver substantial foreign exchange savings.
“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,” he added.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Rahamon Bello, described the honour as well deserved, noting that Dangote’s impact extends beyond infrastructure development.
He said the industrialist’s achievements continue to inspire a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs to pursue innovation and bold ideas across the continent.
