Dangote Inducted As Fellow Of NAE, Says Engineering Is Central To Nation Building

Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, on Friday declared that engineering remains the backbone of industrialisation and national development, as he was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE).

Dangote, who spoke at the induction ceremony in Lagos, described the recognition as a profound honour while emphasising the critical role of engineering in shaping economic progress and global competitiveness.

“I am truly humbled to be honoured with a fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, a highly respected institution dedicated to the advancement of science, engineering, and technology as critical drivers of national development and global competitiveness,” he said.

He stressed that engineering is central to nation-building, insisting that no country can industrialise without harnessing the expertise of engineers.

“Engineering is more than a profession, it is a language of progress. Every bridge that connects a community, every megawatt that lights a home, and every drop of fuel that powers our economy began as a calculation on an engineer’s desk,” Dangote stated.

He added, “No nation can industrialize without the ingenuity of engineers. You are the silent architects of our national development.”

Dangote noted that his conglomerate has consistently relied on engineering excellence to drive large-scale industrial projects across Nigeria and Africa, positioning the group as a major employer of engineering talent.

“At Dangote, we are not only participants in industrialization, we are actively shaping it. Our vision has always been clear, to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in products that were once heavily imported,” he said.

He disclosed that engineers make up a significant portion of the workforce across the group’s operations, including petroleum, fertiliser and manufacturing, adding that sustained investments have been made in training and capacity development.

“Our engineers are central to our operations. We established Dangote Academy where young engineers undergo rigorous hands-on training before being integrated into our workforce,” he said.

The business mogul also raised concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, urging engineers to take a leading role in shaping its impact on the profession.

“Today we are witnessing the impact of artificial intelligence in virtually all spheres of life. I call on engineers to step in and lend their voice on the ramifications of AI to their profession,” he added.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting engineering development through partnerships, mentorship and research, stressing the need for technical self-reliance.

“True economic independence is impossible without technical sovereignty. We must fabricate, design, and build what we consume,” Dangote said.

In his remarks, president of the Academy, Rahamon Bello, said the induction reflects Dangote’s far-reaching contributions to Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation.

“The induction of Alhaji Aliko Dangote as Honorary Fellow is a testament to his efforts that have significantly shaped the industrial and economic landscape of the nation,” Bello said.

He explained that the Academy serves as Nigeria’s apex engineering think-tank, promoting excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation, while providing policy guidance to government and private institutions.

Bello noted that the honour is highly selective, with Dangote becoming only the sixth Honorary Fellow in the Academy’s 29-year history.

He further described the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals project as a landmark achievement that underscores the power of engineering in driving economic growth.

“The refinery is more than a feat of capital investment; it is a testament to engineering excellence, innovation, and the belief that Africans can design, build, and sustain world-class infrastructure,” Bello added.

Also, the special guest of honour, Benedict Oramah, said Dangote’s investments in critical sectors are helping to reposition Nigeria’s economy and address longstanding structural challenges.

In his address, the guest speaker and chairman of the Sage Centre for Leadership Excellence, Mutiu Sunmonu, said the recognition reflects a model of leadership anchored on resilience and long-term vision.