Aliko Dangote has announced a major expansion of the Dangote Refinery that will scale production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, a move that is expected to reshape Nigeria’s energy landscape and strengthen Africa’s industrial standing.
He revealed this over the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He explained that the expansion marks a critical step in Nigeria’s journey toward industrial transformation and long-term energy independence.
The project is projected to generate massive employment opportunities, with no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers expected at the peak of construction. Dangote stressed that engineers, technicians, and artisans will play a central role in delivering the expanded facility, as the group continues to rely heavily on Nigerian expertise.
He emphasized that the refinery expansion reflects a broader commitment to engineering excellence, local capacity development, and sustainable economic growth across Africa. According to him, the vision goes beyond infrastructure, as it focuses on building people and strengthening industries at the same time.
The expanded refinery is set to surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery, positioning it as the largest refinery in the world upon completion. This milestone is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
The development will also stimulate local manufacturing, accelerate technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. In addition, it is expected to improve fuel security and deliver substantial foreign exchange savings for the economy.
Dangote noted that confidence in Nigerian capability continues to drive the scale of the project. He added that Africa has the talent and capacity to build world-class infrastructure that meets global standards when given the right environment and investment.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Rahamon Bello, described the recognition of Dangote as well deserved. He noted that the industrialist’s achievements extend beyond physical infrastructure, as they continue to inspire a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs to think bigger and act with purpose.
