Nigerian businessman and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks from his refinery’s direct fuel distribution initiative will generate at least 24,000 jobs across Nigeria.
Dangote made the disclosure in Lagos during a conference to mark the first anniversary of petrol production at the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery.
He said the refinery’s operations have already reduced petrol prices significantly, easing the burden on Nigerians.
“Despite opposition and economic headwinds, the refinery has successfully reduced the price of petrol from nearly ₦1,100 before production began to ₦841 in the South West, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara,” Dangote stated.
He noted that Nigeria, plagued by fuel queues since 1975, is now witnessing “a new era” in the downstream oil sector.
According to him, the company’s investments are not eliminating jobs but expanding opportunities for Nigerians.
“The deployment of CNG-powered trucks is expected to create at least 24,000 jobs. We are not displacing any jobs; we are creating many more. The CNG trucks will not be operated by robots,” he said.
Dangote also highlighted the welfare packages available to employees, stressing that they earn salaries three times the national minimum wage, with additional benefits such as life insurance, health insurance for workers and their families and lifelong pensions.
The industrialist said Nigeria is now positioned as Africa’s refining hub beyond fuel production.
He revealed that the refinery is set to make the country the largest exporter of polypropylene and a leading global producer of fertiliser; initiatives he said would generate foreign exchange, create jobs and spur growth in other sectors.
He urged the National Assembly to enact legislation in support of the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy, which prioritises local production and industrialization.
“Other nations were not industrialised by outsiders. We must build and industrialise our own economies. Without this, how can others invest? Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty,” Dangote declared.
He stressed that Africa’s fast-growing population presents enormous opportunities but warned that without urgent industrialisation, the continent risks perpetuating unemployment and poverty.
