Fifty-two aspiring engineers have successfully completed the rigorous Graduate Trainee Programme at Dangote Petroleum Refinery and are now poised to join the company as full-time employees.

These trainee engineers, specializing in Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, concluded their comprehensive training with a final project presentation and defense held over the weekend in the presence of the refinery's management team.

This latest cohort, designated as Batch 10, adds to the growing number of graduate engineers who have been trained and subsequently employed by the Lagos-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This world-class facility initiated its Graduate Engineer Training Programme even before its full completion, demonstrating a commitment to developing local talent for its operations.

During the final assessment, the engineers, working in groups, presented their capstone projects and faced rigorous questioning from the refinery's management. The management sought to evaluate the trainees' acquired knowledge and their potential to introduce innovative solutions within the refinery's operations.

Representing Mr. Devakumar Edwin, the Vice-President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, the Head of Operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Manas Banergie, extended his congratulations to the newly inducted engineers. He expressed his optimism that the training programme had provided them with fresh perspectives and a clear understanding of the expectations ahead in their careers at the refinery.

Banergie conveyed a clear message about the refinery's operational philosophy, stating that management focuses on continuous improvement rather than mere maintenance. "None of you is trained here to become maintenance manager, we don’t do maintenance here, we only improve by adding innovations," he emphasized to the new engineers.

Dr. Ebele Oputa, the Coordinator of the programme and Assistant General Manager of Human Asset Management at Dangote Petroleum Refinery, elaborated on the structure of the training. She disclosed that the engineers had undergone a comprehensive two-year hands-on training program tailored for young graduates in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Engineering.

According to Dr. Oputa, the refinery management designed the programme to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge gained in academic institutions and the practical application required in a real-world refinery environment. "This is meant to develop their practical and leadership skills over time to effectively guide their teams in professional and personal development," she explained. She further noted that while some individuals possess natural leadership qualities, these skills can also be cultivated through training, enabling all management trainees to excel in leadership roles over time.

Members of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Batch 10 Trainee Engineers with their final Trainee Project Presentation/Defense at the Refinery in Lekki Lagos over the weekend. 


Dr. Oputa highlighted the broader benefits of the training programme, including opportunities for the engineers to network with industry professionals, potentially forging valuable connections. The programme also aids the engineers in identifying their strengths and weaknesses, setting clear career goals, and developing a strategic roadmap for achieving them. Moreover, the hands-on nature of the training instills greater confidence in the new engineers' abilities, effectively preparing them for the challenges of the professional workforce.

Providing a detailed overview of the training structure, Dr. Oputa explained that the two-year programme involves a multi-phase approach. This includes a three-week induction, four to five months of observation and shadowing within the refinery, two weeks of classroom-based equipment training, and six months of hands-on/on-the-job training at the refinery. Subsequently, the engineers undergo plant-wise training in the production area, coupled with continued on-the-job training and supervised work with coaching for the remainder of their training period. To qualify for permanent employment, the trainees must deliver at least two presentations, pass a written examination, and complete a project work culminating in a presentation and defense.

Finally, a confidential performance appraisal, evaluating the individual's character and performance throughout the training, is generated. Successful completion of all these stages leads to the engineer's confirmation as a full-fledged staff member of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The newly inducted trainee engineers expressed their profound gratitude to the refinery's management for the invaluable opportunity to be part of the programme and to contribute to the operations of the world's largest single-train refinery. They described this milestone as a "dream come through" and pledged to uphold the trust and confidence placed in them by the management.