The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the expansion of the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day will generate employment for no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of construction.

Dangote disclosed this during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation. He emphasized the group’s commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

“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 stated.

Upon completion, the expanded refinery is set to surpass the Jamnagar refinery in India, becoming the largest refinery globally and significantly bolstering Nigeria’s refining capacity. The project will leverage Nigerian expertise, creating substantial opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals, reflecting the group’s long-term vision for industrialization in Nigeria and across Africa.

Beyond employment, 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 reliance on imported petroleum products, and yield significant foreign exchange savings.

“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.

Professor Rahamon Bello, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, lauded the honor as well-deserved, noting Dangote’s inspirational impact on a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs.

The refinery currently operates at 650,000 barrels per day, with plans to scale up over the next three years.