A Special Publication by Ìrètí Yorùbá & Headlinenews.news
1. Introduction
The Dangote Refinery in Lagos, Africa’s largest single-train refinery project, represents a milestone in Nigeria’s industrialization journey. However, controversy has trailed its employment practices, particularly the importation of unskilled labour from Northern states while thousands of Yoruba indigenes remain unemployed. Following sustained advocacy by concerned groups, including Ìrètí Yorùbá and reports published by Headlinenews.news, progress is beginning to emerge.
Dangote Refinery has now granted part of our request, announcing specific job opportunities for Lagos State indigenes in critical technical fields. This report documents the history, analysis, and recent developments while emphasizing the need for broader inclusion, especially for unskilled local labour.
2. Historical Context
The tension between host communities and large-scale industries in Nigeria is long-standing:
In Ogun State, during the Dangote Cement plant’s construction, Governor Ibikunle Amosun clashed with the company over its reliance on imported Northern labour instead of engaging local indigenes.
In Lagos, Headlinenews.news published evidence of hundreds of Northern unskilled labourers deployed at the refinery, sparking outrage. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu responded by setting up a probe panel, though its findings remain unpublished.
Community groups demanded corrective measures to ensure Yoruba indigenes are not excluded from the economic benefits of hosting the refinery.
3. Facts and Figures
Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate exceeds 40%, with Lagos State bearing some of the heaviest burdens due to rapid migration and industrial pressures.
The Dangote Refinery is projected to generate over 135,000 direct and indirect jobs. Global best practices dictate that 70–80% of such roles should be reserved for host communities as part of equitable industrial development.
Instead, initial practices sidelined Yoruba youths in favour of imported labour, triggering justified public backlash.
4. Recent Development: Graduate Job Openings
In response to sustained advocacy, Dangote Refinery has announced graduate job opportunities exclusively for Lagos State indigenes in the following disciplines:
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Material and Metallurgy
Industrial Chemistry
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must possess a First Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) degree.
Applicants must be indigenes of Lagos State, with verifiable proof.
Application Deadline: Monday, 22nd September 2025.
Submission Details:
Email CVs to: info@ibileeko.com
WhatsApp inquiries: 09066287214
Organized under: Ibile Eko Summit Foundation.
This represents an encouraging step forward, yet remains limited to highly skilled graduates, leaving the pressing issue of opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled Yoruba labour unresolved.
5. Comparative Industry Practices
International and local precedents emphasize prioritizing host communities:
Niger Delta oil companies are legally bound to employ 80% of non-technical staff from host communities.
Mining industries in Ghana and South Africa integrate community labour as a legal requirement, alongside CSR commitments.
Even Dangote Cement in Obajana, Kogi State was compelled to adjust its labour policies after community resistance.
These cases underscore that fair employment quotas are neither unusual nor unreasonable — they are essential for stability and justice.
6. Analysis
While the current move is commendable, it risks being perceived as a symbolic gesture unless expanded. Limiting opportunities to top-tier graduates:
Excludes thousands of unemployed Lagosian youths who could fill semi-skilled and unskilled roles.
Undermines the equity principle that host communities must benefit materially and socially.
Suggests compliance under pressure rather than genuine commitment to local empowerment.
Without broader inclusion, the refinery risks replicating patterns of alienation and resentment seen in other industrial zones.
7. Recommendations
To ensure fairness and sustainability, the Lagos State Government should:
1. Expand Quotas Beyond Graduates: Require Dangote Refinery to reserve 70–80% of unskilled and semi-skilled jobs for Lagos indigenes.
2. Release Probe Findings: Publish the panel’s report on Dangote’s labour practices to maintain public trust.
3. Mandatory Training Programs: Compel Dangote to fund training for Yoruba youths, preparing them for technical roles.
4. Community Oversight: Establish a joint monitoring body of state, community, and civil society representatives.
5. CSR Accountability: Demand tangible investments in host community infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
8. Conclusion
The partial concession to provide graduate job opportunities is welcome progress. However, equity demands that all categories of employment — unskilled, semi-skilled, and professional — be open to Lagos indigenes, who shoulder the environmental and social costs of hosting the refinery.
Dangote Refinery must align with global best practices, not token gestures. The Lagos State Government has a duty to enforce compliance and protect the dignity and rights of its people. Anything less is an exploitation of Yoruba labour and heritage.
This report is published by Ìrètí Yorùbá in collaboration with Headlinenews.news as a call to action for the Lagos State Government and all Yoruba stakeholders.
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