The management of Dangote Refinery has categorically denied recent reports suggesting that the company prioritized foreign workers over skilled Nigerians during the construction of its Refinery Complex. In a strong rebuttal, the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, clarified that the accusations were baseless and were written with malicious intent.
According to Chiejina, the sheer magnitude and complexity of the project necessitated the employment of a specialized and diverse workforce from around the globe. He revealed that over 30,000 skilled Nigerians were actively engaged in the construction of the Refinery Complex, playing vital roles in its development.
“We have always been committed to empowering our fellow Nigerians and supporting the growth of our nation’s economy,” said Chiejina. “The Dangote Refinery project has provided employment opportunities to more than 30,000 skilled Nigerians, who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence. Many hidden skills were discovered among our Nigerian workers, making them an invaluable asset to the project.”
Chiejina also disclosed that, at the peak of the construction, the project employed 6,400 skilled workers from India and 3,250 from China, alongside the substantial Nigerian workforce. These foreign workers were brought in to complement the expertise required for certain specialized tasks, ensuring the project’s smooth progress.
“Foreign workers were not brought in to replace Nigerians but rather to supplement the existing workforce where certain technical expertise was required,” Chiejina emphasized.
The Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer urged the public to disregard the unfounded reports and instead focus on the positive impact of the Dangote Refinery project on the Nigerian economy and the well-being of its citizens. He highlighted the Dangote Group’s consistent commitment to being a leading light in employment generation in the country.
The Dangote Refinery Complex, which is currently under construction, is poised to become the largest single-train refinery in the world upon completion. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s refining capacity, reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products, and create numerous job opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers alike.
As the construction continues, Dangote Group remains dedicated to nurturing local talent and empowering the Nigerian workforce, ensuring that the benefits of this monumental project are felt across the nation.
The Dangote Refinery management urges all stakeholders to support the ongoing project and look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigeria’s energy industry and the nation as a whole.
