L-R: Engr. Nimot Muili, FNSE (Chairman, NSE Ikeja Branch); Engr. Adebayo Adereti (Head, Oil and Gas, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources); and Engr. Yusuf Majolagbe (Chairman, NIEE Lagos Chapter) during a study tour of the refinery on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, with engineering student members participating in the background.
At the sidelines of a Study Tour of the Dangote Refinery, The Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Ikeja Branch, spoke to Environment Africa on the need for adaptability and continuous knowledge renewal, advocating on the need to foster engineering evolution through learning and relearning to drive increased innovation and growth.
Excerpts
What motivated you to embark on this study tour to the Dangote Refinery?
The primary motivation was the realization that such a monumental project is happening right here in Nigeria. We’ve read extensively about it and followed the discussions about having a private refinery, especially in contrast to the government-operated ones. It’s remarkable that a private individual has been able to bring this vision to life.
From inception to its current operational phase, the journey of the Dangote Refinery is inspiring. The level of engineering involved and the job opportunities already created, and those still to come, are incredible. Despite the challenges, this private organization has successfully demonstrated that Nigerians are technically capable, collaborative, and capable of delivering a project of this scale.
What are your impressions of the HSSE practices and the engineering process optimization at the refinery?
My initial expectations have been greatly exceeded. Often, when projects are localized, they might compromise on standards, but this refinery is a local initiative that meets international benchmarks. It’s impressive to see practices here that mirror those implemented globally; and even exceed them.
The HSSE measures in place are outstanding. During my speech, I mentioned the importance of unlearning some conventional practices to adopt new methodologies. What we’ve seen and learned here reflects cutting-edge global practices tailored to local conditions.
For example, I questioned the presence of gas flaring at a new refinery, and they provided a detailed explanation of its necessity within this context. The attention and commitment not just to enable international standards but to exceed them is truly commendable.
I mean, it’s really motivating so that when we talk to people and investors; we talk about the ease of doing business. If this is happening, then we should be able to attract more investors, create more employment opportunities and investment opportunities as well.
What are your thoughts on engineering knowledge and capacity building, particularly for students and even established professionals?
The impact on engineering knowledge and capacity development is significant. Thousands of students and young engineers have already been engaged, with many gaining hands-on experience through short-term internships or tours like this one. These experiences bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.
For students, it’s transformative to see concepts from their coursework, like hydrocarbon cracking and exploration, applied in real life. As someone who isn’t a chemical engineer, even I found the industrial tour enlightening and memorable. This exposure helps solidify their understanding and inspires them to pursue innovation in their careers.
For young engineers, there’s an opportunity to build on these experiences through future collaborations and visits. Seeing processes that aren’t yet fully operational will help them understand how technologies like carbon capture for urea production or CO2 utilization work in practice.
Even for senior engineers and retirees, this tour offers a chance to learn about new technologies and compare them to older methods. It’s a continuous learning process that benefits every cadre of engineering professionals.
What opportunities do you see for further collaboration and local content development?
This project underscores the value of local content and the inclusion of Nigerian engineers in world-class projects. Witnessing local engineers working on-site is inspiring. It’s one thing to hear about their involvement; it’s another to see it firsthand.
Moving forward, there’s potential to deepen collaboration with the Dangote Refinery team and explore partnerships with other investors. This could range from job creation to providing specialized services.
For the Nigerian engineering community, this is a platform to showcase our capabilities, attract investors, and foster opportunities for growth. The refinery demonstrates that we can meet international standards while leveraging local talent, and this success story can serve as a blueprint for future projects.
What’s your take on the impact of the refinery on Nigeria’s local engineering capacity?
This industrial tour has been a remarkable learning experience. It’s not just about what the country can offer us, but also about what we can contribute to its growth. We leave with a renewed sense of pride and the determination to promote Nigeria’s engineering potential to the world.
The Dangote Refinery stands as a beacon of what is possible when vision, collaboration, and commitment come together.
