Dangote Group Tackles Nigeria's Skills Gap With Local Workforce Training Initiatives
- The Dangote Group has warned that Nigeria's industrial growth could be hindered by a skills gap and is addressing this by investing in local training programs
- The company has successfully transitioned to employing Nigerians in highly technical roles, with trained workers now being recruited internationally
- Additionally, Dangote is committed to human capital development through specialised training centres and industrial placements, focusing on both local and regional talent
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
Dangote Group warns that the skills gap could impede Nigeria's industrial growth, and claims it is addressing the lack of qualified technical workers in the country's industrial sector by making significant investments in training locals to take on crucial tasks, which were previously performed by foreigners.
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Speaking during a courtesy visit to the refinery by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos Council, the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, stated that the company has changed its workforce structure over the last four years, moving away from relying on foreign workers and towards employing a large number of Nigerians in highly technical positions.
“Our fertilizer plant’s central control room was entirely operated by Italians four years ago, followed by Indians. Today, it’s predominantly managed by Nigerians we’ve trained,” he said.
“These Nigerians have become so skilled that they are now being recruited as expatriates by international firms, such as a Qatari fertilizer company. This highlights the quality of our training programs.”
Edwin cautioned that as Nigeria looked to harness its natural resources for economic progress, the skills gap remained a significant obstacle to the country's industrial aspirations.
He clarified that staff members were transferred overseas for advanced technical training as part of the Group's human capacity development programs, which included its cement, fertiliser, and refinery activities.
“Dangote also trains technical staff from other African countries at our Obajana cement plant, enabling Nigerian engineers to serve as expatriates in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia, although language barriers limit deployments in Francophone nations.”
He added that this exchange had positioned Nigeria as a source of industrial talent for the continent.
Edwin stated that the Dangote Group sets aside roughly 22% of jobs for host communities, 50% for the host state, and the remaining portion for other Nigerians in order to further highlight its dedication to developing human capital and fostering domestic expertise.
He pointed out that this approach was backed by specialised facilities like the Obajana training centre, which was created in collaboration with German technical specialists, and a new facility in Lagos that was built in collaboration with Siemens and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
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He pointed out that these centres have generated technicians who have earned the necessary qualifications prior to working for the corporation.
“In Lagos, we are developing a training facility in Ikeja. The space is ready, and we are awaiting equipment,” he stated.
The Group also provides industrial training placements for undergraduates lasting from three to six months, aimed at exposing students to advanced industrial processes. Edwin said this “catch them young” approach was intended to build a sustainable future workforce.
Dangote Group announces 60 new job vacancies
Legit.ng reported that the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, is inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for 60 new job openings across its operations.
The available positions span corporate, technical, engineering, and operational roles across its cement, food, sugar and other business units.
The company offers candidates competitive salaries, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
Source: Legit.ng
