Aliko Dangote has announced plans to roll out 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks across Nigeria, a move set to generate at least 24,000 new jobs.

The announcement came during the first anniversary of petrol production at the $20 billion, 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery. According to Dangote, the trucks will employ drivers, mechanics, fleet operators, and support staff, with each truck linked to six different jobs. He stressed that the refinery is not eliminating jobs but expanding opportunities, adding that employees enjoy competitive pay alongside health and life insurance benefits.

Reflecting on the refinery’s performance, Dangote said Nigeria’s decades-long fuel queue crisis had finally ended since the plant began production in September 2024. He noted that pump prices dropped from around N1,100 per litre before the refinery came onstream to about N841 in several regions. Between June and early September 2025, the facility exported more than 1.1 billion litres of petrol, proof, he said, of its ability to meet local demand while boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Dangote also underscored the importance of industrialisation, warning that reliance on cheap imports undermines local industries. He called for a “Nigeria First” policy to safeguard the economy and create sustainable jobs.

He clarified that the refinery has no plans to enter petrol retailing, instead focusing on refining, exports, and large-scale distribution. Looking ahead, the group intends to expand refining capacity to 700,000 barrels per day and position Nigeria as a global leader in polypropylene and fertiliser production.

“Our vision is to make Nigeria the refining hub of Africa,” Dangote declared, thanking government partners, workers, and industry stakeholders for their support.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is already mobilising its members to participate in the CNG truck distribution scheme, which is expected to further strengthen fuel supply across the country.