L-R: GED Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GED Operations, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mariya Aliko Dangote; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof, Rahamon Bello, at The Nigerian Academy of Engineering Induction of Aliko Dangote as Honorary Fellow in Lagos on Friday, April 24, 2026.
By Peace Udugba
President of Dangote Industries Limited, 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 no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of 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 major milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
L-R: GED Logistics & Distributions, Dangote Industries Limited, Abdu Dantata; Alhassan Dantata; GED Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GED Operations, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mariya Aliko Dangote; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof, Rahamon Bello; Vice President, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Honorary Secretary, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. (Mrs) C. O. Adelowo; Technical Secretary, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Dr. Funmi Coker at The Nigerian Academy of Engineering Induction of Aliko Dangote as Honorary Fellow in Lagos on Friday, April 24, 2026.
According to him, the expansion reflects the Group’s continued 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.
L-R: GED Logistics & Distributions, Dangote Industries Limited, Abdu Dantata; Alhassan Dantata; GED Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GED Operations, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mariya Aliko Dangote; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof, Rahamon Bello, at The Nigerian Academy of Engineering Induction of Aliko Dangote as Honorary Fellow in Lagos on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Upon completion, 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.
Dangote noted that the project would rely heavily on Nigerian expertise, creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals. He added that the expansion aligns with the Group’s long-term vision for industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa.
Beyond job creation, the refinery expansion is projected to stimulate local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. It is also expected to 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 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 goes beyond physical infrastructure.
“What makes this recognition fitting is not only what has been built, but 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.
L-R: GED Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GED Operations, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mariya Aliko Dangote; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President, The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof, Rahamon Bello, at The Nigerian Academy of Engineering Induction of Aliko Dangote as Honorary Fellow in Lagos on Friday, April 24, 2026.
