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Dangote to Employ Additional 17,000 for Refinery Project

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dangote Refinery Project

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Additional 17,000 personnel would be employed in the coming months by Dangote Industries Limited for the refinery project in Lagos, the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Mr Aliko Dangote, has disclosed.

At the moment, the human capacity at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery project site stands at 40,000 but the owner of the project, who is Africa’s richest man, wants to increase it to 57,000.

A total of 29,000 Nigerians and 11,000 foreigners are working on the soon-to-be-completed oil facility, which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is the world’s largest single refinery project.

This is a ratio of around three Nigerians to one expatriate presently, which will increase local talent with the new additions.

“When we started the project, we were supposed to bring a lot of foreign workers, but as we speak today, we have less than 11,000 expatriates.

“We have almost about 29,000 Nigerian workers that are getting massive training. We are also creating a lot of capacity in the country, which will be of great help for future oil projects in Nigeria, most especially with the opening up of the oil industry through the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Mr Dangote informed Arise TV.

“It means that the country can boast of human capacity needed in the oil and gas sector. Most of these Nigerians can compete anywhere in the world in terms of electrical, welding, mechanical erection etc. We have actually created massive capacity,” he added.

 The business mogul said construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was informed by his desire to help the federal government tackle the lingering issue of petroleum products importation.

“It makes me feel terrible to see a country as big and resourceful as Nigeria with a high population, importing all its petroleum products. It is very painful.

“So, we decided it is time to tackle this challenge. We tried before in 2007, but we were not able to make it happen. So, we jettisoned the idea,” Mr Dangote explained.

He added, “What actually inspired me is when you look at what happened in a country like India where entrepreneurs went ahead and created about five million barrels-per-day oil refinery.

“This country does not have as much oil as Nigeria. Nigeria is here sitting on over 2.4 million barrels per day at a point and we do not refine the oil we produce. Here, we have a country of over 200 million people and we are importing 100 per cent of what we consume.

“It is not sustainable. If you go to some places in Nigeria, you will discover that there are petrol stations that are not working.

“This actually pushed me into saying that this is a big challenge, which needed to be addressed urgently. Because I’m a Nigerian and if there are issues to be sorted out, I should be one of those who will bring solutions to our national problems.”

Mr Dangote described the refinery project as an investment that would transform the economies of countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This refinery is going to help transform, not only the oil sector, it is going to assist to transform the entire economy of Nigeria and all the countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is unfortunate that all sub-Saharan African countries are importing petroleum products, and this is not what it is supposed to be.

“It is not the government’s responsibility alone to address the challenge of petroleum products importation in Nigeria. No, we have to collaborate with the government to tackle these issues of petroleum importation. It will put millions of people directly and indirectly at work.

“The refinery is going to massively transform the economy. By this transformation, the government will have more money to take care of infrastructure, health, education. So, it is a massive transformational project,” he added.

Mr Dangote emphasized the need for the country to shift attention from crude oil export and diversify the economy.

“We should not as a country be comfortable with generating revenue from crude oil export alone because tomorrow, people may not need crude oil. If we don’t move from crude oil to something else, we will have issues as a country. This is one of the things that I took upon myself to help address in this country,” he said.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Makinde Picks Abimbola Akeem Owoade as New Alaafin of Oyo

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Abimbola Akeem Owoade

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has formally announced Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, more than two years since the throne was vacant following the death of the last Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, on April 22, 2022.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, said Prince Owoade, after thorough consultations and divination, was recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State.

According to the Commissioner, a statement to this effect had been issued by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement put to rest all the social and legal bickerings that ensued since the demise of the previous occupier of the exalted seat in Yorubaland.

Mr Ojo called on all citizens of Oyo State to join the government in celebrating this momentous occasion and lend their support to the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The Commissioner prayed that his reign would bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.

Business Post reports that insiders say there is some discontent as Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin was initially selected by the Oyo Mesi, the kingmakers, to be the next ruler.

Prince Akeem Abimbola Owoade, a member of the Owoade-Agunloye family, is 47 years old. He is a trained mechanical engineer.

He has an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Northumbria University after he attained a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland.

Before his sojourn to the United Kingdom, he has some education in Nigeria, attaining his Higher National Diploma (HND) also in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic, Ibadan and his National Diploma from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and his Secondary School from Baptist High School, Saki.

His coronation will happen in the coming weeks.

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Adeonipekun Succeeds Akerewusi as Registrar of Stockbrokers’ Institute

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ayo adeonipekun

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Mr Ayo Adeonipekun has been appointed as the new Registrar and chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

He is taking over the position from Mr Josiah Akerewusi, who retired after a decade of meritorious service, according to a statement.

“This is a critical role that requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the capital market.

“Adeonipekun possesses these qualities, and we believe he will transform the institute into a world-class certification entity,” the chairman of the Council at CIS, Mr Oluropo Dada, said.

Mr Adeonipekun is expected to guide the organisation to higher heights with his over 25 years of extensive multidisciplinary experience in leadership, finance, people and performance management, as well as corporate planning and administration.

Before now, he has served in various top management positions in leading organisations, including Marina International Bank (now Access Bank), Crossword Securities Limited, Sterling Bank, First City Monument Bank Plc, Susu Microfinance Bank, and MBL Financial Services, among others.

He was once the chief executive of a funds/portfolio manager licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Reliance Capital Limited.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr Adeonipekun qualified as a Chartered Stockbroker in March 2006 while working at Crossword Securities Limited.

He also became a Chartered Accountant in May 1997 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2013.

Additionally, he is a Certified Microfinance Banker (CIBN-MCP), an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), a trading license holder with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, and a Registered Capital Market Operator/Sponsored Individual with the SEC.

The CIS chief boasts a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from Yaba College of Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master’s in Finance, both from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, and currently a doctoral candidate (PhD Finance) at the same institution.

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Olumuyiwa Olumekun Commences Duty as NAHCO CEO

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NAHCO stocks

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (NAHCO Aviance) has announced the appointment of Mr Olumuyiwa Olumekun as its new chief executive, with effect from January 1, 2025, following the retirement of Mr Indranil Gupta.

Mr Gupta concluded his tenure as the company’s CEO on December 31, 2024, marking the end of an era that saw growth under his leadership.

The company’s announcement, delivered via a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, confirmed the board’s approval of Mr Olumekun’s appointment.

He brings over three decades of leadership experience, which will help steer NAHCO through its next phase of growth. His career at the company includes key roles such as Group Executive Director of Corporate Services, where he played an instrumental part in driving the company’s 2019–2023 strategic plan.

This plan resulted in a 300 per cent increase in profitability. He brings his experience in business development and commercial strategy to bear.

His previous tenure as Acting Managing Director and Executive Director of Corporate Services contributed to the development of NAHCO’s operational success and long-term strategic direction.

Mr Olumekun also led the company’s efforts in driving new business opportunities during his leadership of the Commercial and Business Development sectors in 2019.

Since retiring from his active role at NAHCO in 2022, he has continued his involvement in the company as a non-executive director on the boards of its subsidiaries, helping guide their growth.

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