The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the ongoing expansion of the Dangote Refinery will significantly increase employment opportunities in Nigeria.According to the company, the large-scale upgrade of the facility is expected to generate thousands of jobs, particularly for skilled workers, as construction activities intensify.
Dangote made this known during a recent event in Lagos, where he was honoured as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He described the refinery expansion as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and improving economic growth. Highlighting the scale of the project, he said, “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.”
The refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, is already one of the most ambitious industrial projects in Africa. With the new expansion, its production capacity is expected to rise to about 1.4 million barrels per day, positioning it to become one of the largest refineries globally. Dangote explained that the project will rely heavily on Nigerian professionals, including engineers, technicians, and artisans. This, he said, reflects the company’s commitment to building local capacity and promoting homegrown expertise.
He further noted that the expansion goes beyond job creation. It is also expected to stimulate manufacturing, encourage technology transfer, and strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. By increasing local refining capacity, the country will reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products and conserve foreign exchange.
Speaking on the significance of the recognition he received, Dangote said, “This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises what we are doing in the industry, especially our commitment to employing engineers and skilled professionals.”
Industry observers believe that the refinery’s growth could have wide-reaching effects across multiple sectors. Increased production of refined products and petrochemicals is expected to support industries such as plastics, packaging, and manufacturing, creating additional indirect jobs.The expansion also aligns with broader efforts to industrialise Nigeria and position the country as a key energy hub in Africa. By developing world-class infrastructure locally, stakeholders say Nigeria can unlock more value from its natural resources while boosting economic resilience.
Dangote emphasised confidence in Nigeria’s capabilities, adding that the scale of the project demonstrates that Africa can deliver projects that meet global standards. Overall, the refinery expansion represents a major investment in both infrastructure and human capital. With tens of thousands of jobs projected and increased production capacity on the horizon, the project is expected to play a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
