Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man and renowned industrialist, admitted that had he fully comprehended the vast scale of his $20 billion refinery project, he might not have pursued it. Speaking during a visit by the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Dangote revealed that the magnitude of the facility far exceeded initial expectations. He emphasised that their willingness to take on the project was partly due to the uncertainty of its enormity and the boldness, or perhaps naivety, that drove them forward.
The refinery, designed to process massive volumes of crude, is expected to handle up to 600 product vessels and about 240 crude oil tankers annually. Dangote outlined several challenges encountered during construction, including working on swampy terrain, clearing vast amounts of land, and dredging 65 million cubic meters of sand from 20 kilometres offshore. These efforts were aimed at preserving the livelihoods of local fishing communities. He further shared that uprooting thousands of trees manually and the extensive sand-filling process, which took 18 months, were integral to ensuring environmental protection in the area.
Dangote also expressed his commitment to empowering Nigerian engineers, asserting that large-scale industrial projects are crucial for developing local talent. Despite initially planning to employ up to 50,000 foreign workers, the project ultimately relied on only 12,000–14,000 expatriates. Most of the workforce, including welders, fitters, and engineers, were Nigerians. He highlighted that 85% of the refinery’s commissioning work was completed by Nigerians, underscoring the high skill level of local professionals.
In addressing the delegation, Dangote emphasised the importance of continuous training and skill development. He stressed that even without abundant job opportunities, Nigeria should focus on exporting knowledge as a valuable asset alongside its oil exports. Dangote remarked, “We want Nigeria to earn from exporting knowledge, not just oil.”
The Chairman of the NSE Lagos branch, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, praised Dangote’s initiative, calling the refinery an engineering milestone for Africa. She commended the high level of Nigerian involvement, noting that local expertise had surpassed foreign contributions. She believed such projects could alleviate unemployment and poverty, positioning Nigeria as a leader in industrial output and professional knowledge.
The delegation also toured the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, which they described as a significant national asset.
