Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rolled out 1,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks under its direct fuel distribution programme, a move set to create at least 24,000 jobs across Nigeria.
The President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed this in Lagos during a conference marking the first anniversary of petrol production at the 650,000 barrels per day refinery. He said the deployment of CNG trucks represents the first phase of a broader distribution plan designed to cut logistics costs, expand access to cleaner energy, and generate employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
“Deploying 4,000 CNG-powered trucks will create no fewer than 24,000 jobs across Nigeria. We are not displacing jobs we are creating more. These trucks will not be operated by robots; they will be driven, maintained, and supported by Nigerians, ranging from drivers to mechanics and fleet managers,” Dangote said.
Highlighting the impact of the refinery, he noted that petrol prices had dropped by N259 per litre since production began in September 2024. According to him, the pump price, which stood at N1,100 per litre before the refinery started operations, has fallen to N841 in parts of the country, with further reductions expected as the CNG trucks take full effect nationwide.
Dangote also revealed plans to expand refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 700,000 barrels per day in 2026, reinforcing his company’s commitment to boosting domestic productivity, creating jobs, and supporting the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2031.
“Our employees already earn salaries three times the minimum wage, with benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and life insurance. With this CNG initiative, we are expanding opportunities across sectors while ensuring decent working conditions,” he added.
The industrialist commended the Federal Government, partners, and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for supporting the refinery’s distribution programme. He stressed that the initiative is not only about fuel distribution but also about empowering communities, strengthening the local economy, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s refining hub.
Over the last one year, Dangote Refinery has exported more than 1.1 billion litres of petrol, underscoring its capacity to meet both local demand and international supply. Dangote reaffirmed his commitment to industrialisation, warning against over-reliance on imports which, according to him, “exports jobs and imports poverty.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians to invest in the local economy, saying: “We must build and industrialise our own economies. Without this, how can others invest? Our goal is to see Africa prosper and create jobs for its fast-growing population.”
With the successful rollout of CNG-powered trucks and continued expansion plans, the Dangote Group is reinforcing its role as a driver of job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s economy.
