President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the planned expansion of the Dangote Refinery will generate employment for no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of construction.
Dangote made the disclosure at the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He described the expansion as a key milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward industrial transformation.
According to him, the project will increase the refinery’s production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, reinforcing the group’s commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable 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.
Upon completion, the expanded refinery is expected to surpass the Jamnagar Refinery in India, becoming the largest refinery in the world. The development is projected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s refining capacity and position the country as a major player in the global energy market.
Dangote emphasised that the expansion would rely heavily on Nigerian expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals. He noted that the project aligns with the group’s long-term vision for industrialisation across Nigeria and Africa.
Beyond employment generation, the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. It will also improve fuel security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and deliver significant foreign exchange savings for the economy.
“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 impact goes beyond infrastructure.
“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 barrels per day, is expected to scale up to the new target over the next three years.
