• 20 May, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Dangote: We Might Not Have Attempted Refinery If We Knew Its Full Scale

   Aliko Dangote emphasizes the importance of local capacity building as his refinery project nears completion.

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has reiterated his dedication to empowering Nigerian engineers through large-scale industrial projects such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking during a visit by delegates from the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to the refinery site in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Dangote shared insights into the challenges and triumphs of the massive infrastructure project.

   Honestly, if we had fully understood the magnitude and challenges involved, we might not have even attempted it,” Dangote admitted. “But it was that initial courage—or perhaps naivety—that got us this far.”

The refinery, designed to process high volumes of petroleum products, is expected to handle around 600 product vessels and 240 crude oil tankers annually.

  Tackling Engineering Challenges Head-On

Dangote detailed several obstacles encountered during the construction phase, including working on swampy land, uprooting thousands of trees, and dredging 65 million cubic metres of sand from 20 kilometres offshore. He emphasized that much of this effort was aimed at protecting nearby fishing communities.

   Sand-filling alone took 18 months. But we were determined to preserve the livelihoods of local residents, especially fishermen,” he said.

Prioritizing Nigerian Talent

The industrialist noted that although the project was originally projected to employ up to 50,000 foreign workers, only 12,000 to 14,000 expatriates were ultimately needed. The majority of the workforce—including engineers, welders, and technicians—were Nigerians.

     Eighty-five percent of the commissioning work was done by Nigerians. It’s not just because I’m an engineer myself, but because they’ve proven their capabilities,” he added.

Dangote stressed the importance of continuous training and skill development, asserting that Nigeria should aim to export knowledge and expertise—not just oil.

   Engineering Community Applauds Local Impact**

Chairperson of NSE’s Lagos branch, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, described the visit as inspiring and the refinery as a historic engineering milestone.

  We’ve heard so much about the refinery, but seeing it in person has been extraordinary. Local manpower is clearly leading the charge,” she said.

Kesha emphasized that similar developments across the country could significantly reduce unemployment and poverty, while also positioning Nigeria as a global hub for engineering talent.

In addition to the refinery tour, the NSE delegates also visited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which they hailed as a monumental national infrastructure efforts.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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