On Monday, the League of Engineering Bodies in Nigeria commended the remarkable scale and design of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals, and Dangote Fertiliser Plant located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
The engineers described the superstructure as “awe-inspiring” and “mind-blowing” during their recent visit to the facility.
Mr. Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, who led the tour on Saturday, highlighted the extraordinary engineering achievements at the complex.
Addressing concerns about monopolies, Edwin clarified that initiating such a project often encourages others to follow suit.
This comes as the company prepares to launch its Premium Motor Spirit product.
The league, which includes the National Society of Engineers, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Association of Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, praised Dangote Industries for its significant investment in Nigerian engineering talent and infrastructure.
In a statement released on Monday titled, “Engineers hail Dangote Petroleum Refinery as Awesome and Mind-blowing,” the league expressed their admiration.
“The body of engineers also commended the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, for hiring and nurturing highly-skilled Nigerian engineers who guided the tour, and affirmed that engineering is thriving in Nigeria, from the workforce to the construction at the Dangote Refinery Complex,” the statement read.
Responding to questions, Edwin addressed the issue of a monopoly, stating, “Someone has to start a project before others follow.”
“Nigeria was once one of the largest importers of cement, but after we started manufacturing it, we became exporters; the same applies to sugar, salt, and now fertiliser. This success has opened doors for other investors in these industries, benefiting Nigeria.”
“What drives Mr. Dangote is his deep commitment to the Nigerian project. While our business aims to be profitable, all the earnings are reinvested into the Nigerian economy, from cement to salt, sugar, and fertiliser.”
Edwin also elaborated on the business strategy of the Dangote Refinery, which includes minimising energy and production costs, building an environmentally friendly facility, maximising value addition and gasoline production, strategically locating marine infrastructure, utilising state-of-the-art technology, producing Euro V standard products, providing crude flexibility, and creating a $21 billion annual market for Nigerian crude.
Margaret Oguntala, the 34th and first female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, described the facility as “mind-blowing.”
“I was amazed by the state-of-the-art facility at the Dangote Refinery; what I saw today would impress any engineer. It’s like something out of a movie.
I previously worked as an intern at the Port Harcourt Refinery and have visited the Kaduna Refinery, but what I see here is incomparable.
“The young engineer who guided us demonstrated great skill, and we are pleased that you are nurturing the future of engineering.
The NSE stands behind you, and we will spread the word that engineering is thriving at the Dangote Refinery,” she added.
Prof. Azikwe Onwualu, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, remarked that visitors witnessed “something extraordinary that Nigerians need to be aware of.”
He continued, “We are pleased that some of our members are part of your team.
We would like to remind Mr. Aliko Dangote that if you weren’t doing something remarkable, you wouldn’t face criticism. Keep up the good work. If we had this level of development across Nigeria, there would be less talk of protests.”
Additionally, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, expressed that Nigerian engineers are on par with their global counterparts, and the Dangote Refinery serves as clear evidence of this.
“We’ve long known that Nigerians are not lacking in engineering globally. We understand our capabilities, and this is proof.
What we saw today is moving, and I wonder what motivates this monumental investment. We encourage Mr. Dangote to maintain his spirit of true Nigerian patriotism,” Abubakar stated.
Babajide Soyode, Technical Consultant to Dangote Refinery, expressed his pride during the visit of his professional colleagues.
