The chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said his refinery will creat massive job opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Dangote stated this in his remarks at the official inauguration of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery complex in Ibeju-Lekki, on Monday.

He said: “The refinery operation will generate massive job opportunities in their hundreds of thousands

“The refinery will make available to our industries vital raw materials to a large range of manufacturers in the pharmaceuticals, food, beverages, construction and many other industries.”

The businessman appreciated president Buhari and Nigerians for the immeasurable support his company received from the inception of the project to its completion.

“What I want to share with Nigerians is actually to show my personal gratitude and that of The Dangote Group, for all the assistance that we got from the President, from the Federal Government of Nigeria, from even the President-elect, because he also set the pace by creating the Lekki Free Trade Zone as part of his dream.

“And also we want to thank most especially Governor Fashola, Governor Ambode and most especially Governor Sanwo-Olu; because they have given us all the assistance that we were looking for. We thank all Nigerians for giving us their support which is too numerous to mention.”

The billionaire assured Nigerians that the first petrol from the Dangote refinery will hit the Nigerian market by the end of July/beginning of August 2023.

“This commissioning ceremony is just the beginning of a great journey, a milestone in a new and exciting trajectory for the Downstream sector of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry. It is our firm commitment that we will replicate in this sector, what we have achieved in the cement and fertilizer markets, where Nigeria transited from being the largest importer of these products to a net exporter.

“Beyond today’s ceremony, our first goal is to ramp up production of the various products to ensure that within this year, we are able to fully satisfy our nation’s demand for high-quality products to enable us to eliminate the tragedy of import dependency and stop, once and for all, the dumping in our market of toxic sub-standard petroleum products. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, our first product will be in the market before the end of July this year.” Dangote said.