Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has offered automatic employment to 30 students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), following an educational tour of his refinery and fertilizer plant in Lagos, a gesture the institution’s Vice‑Chancellor described as a remarkable honour and a fitting reward for years of dedicated service.
The 30 students, comprising 15 female and 15 male students drawn from engineering, technology and entrepreneurship disciplines, were personally invited by Dangote after he delivered a public lecture at the university earlier in the year . The three‑day industrial tour, which took place from June 14 to June 16, 2026, was led by the Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Mrs. Nnenna Oti .
In an emotional social media post that has since generated widespread excitement across the university community, Professor Oti disclosed that Dangote personally called her and offered the 30 students automatic employment upon graduation . “Alh. Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group of Companies, just called and offered the 30 FUTO students I took on tour of his refinery and fertilizer plant in Lagos automatic employment on graduation,” she wrote . According to the Vice‑Chancellor, Dangote explained that the offer was made in recognition of her unwavering integrity and selfless service to Nigeria and humanity . “He said this is to honor my integrity and national service to Nigeria and humanity,” she added .
An overwhelmed Professor Oti described the development as a “glorious way to bow out” and a remarkable honour for years of dedicated service in academia and nation‑building . “What a God! What an honor!! What a glorious way to bow out! What else can I ask for? Lord, to you alone be all the glory,” she wrote .
The tour was part of Dangote’s vision to inspire the next generation of African engineers and industrial leaders by bridging the gap between academic learning and real‑world industry experience . The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, David Bird, described the facility as the world’s largest single‑train refinery and a showcase of modern technology . He noted that the refinery plans to deepen collaboration with universities and research institutions, particularly in emerging fields such as renewable energy and sustainable fuel technologies .
The announcement has since generated excitement among members of the university community, students, alumni and well‑wishers, who have praised both Professor Oti’s leadership and the Dangote Group’s commitment to youth empowerment and talent development . The gesture is expected to further strengthen industry‑academic partnerships and provide opportunities for young Nigerian graduates to gain valuable employment and practical experience in one of Africa’s largest industrial establishments .
Dangote had earlier in the year pledged to construct a N550 million hostel for FUTO students and donated N25 million to the Students’ Union Government following his public lecture at the university in April 2026 . The automatic employment offer adds to a growing list of interventions by the business mogul aimed at supporting education and youth development in Nigeria.
The gesture has been widely interpreted as a tribute to Professor Oti’s integrity, which gained national recognition when she resisted monetary inducement and pressures to rig the 2023 governorship election in Abia State . Dangote, according to the Vice‑Chancellor, explicitly cited her integrity and national service as the reason for the offer .
As of the time of this report, the Dangote Group had not issued an official statement on the offer, but Professor Oti’s social media post has been confirmed by multiple news outlets. The 30 students are expected to resume employment with the Dangote Group upon their graduation from FUTO.
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