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

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the company, noting that Dangote made this known at the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He described the expansion project as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation drive.

Dangote explained that the refinery expansion reflects the group’s unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic development.

“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.

He further disclosed that upon completion, the expanded refinery would surpass the Jamnagar refinery in India to become the largest refinery globally, thereby boosting Nigeria’s refining capacity.

Dangote emphasised that the project would rely significantly on Nigerian expertise, creating wide-ranging opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals across the country.

He added that the expansion aligns with the group’s long-term vision of driving industrialisation in Nigeria and across the African continent.

The company also stated that beyond job creation, the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, facilitate technology transfer, and strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.

It added that the project would improve fuel security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and deliver substantial foreign exchange savings for the Nigerian 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 stated.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Rahamon Bello, described Dangote’s recognition as well deserved, stressing that his impact extends beyond physical 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.

Dangote also disclosed that the refinery, which currently has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is expected to be scaled up to the projected 1.4 million barrels per day over the next three years