President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day will generate up to 95,000 jobs at peak construction.
Dangote made this known in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the project as a significant step in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
“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,” he said.
Upon completion, Dangote stated that the expanded refinery is expected to surpass the Jamnagar Refinery in India to become the largest refinery in the world, significantly boosting Nigeria’s refining capacity.
He noted that the project will rely heavily on local expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals.
Beyond job creation, the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
It is also projected to improve fuel security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and generate substantial foreign exchange savings for the country.
“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.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Rahamon Bello, described the recognition 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,” Bello said.
Currently operating at about 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote revealed plans to scale up the refinery to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next three years.
