Let’s face it: when the Dangote Refinery started operations in Lagos, it was not just a big boost to Nigeria’s economy alone, it was, at the same time, an ultimate career destination for thousands of Nigeria professionals.
If you’re an engineer, technician, finance professional, or any skilled worker in Nigeria, you’ve probably wondered, “How much does Dangote Refinery actually pay?”
The Dangote Refinery salary structure certainly pays among the best in the market. Maybe that is why the buzz about the Dangote Refinery is everywhere. Moreover, reliable information is also not easy to come by, considering that the refinery has not yet displayed their salary scale in public.
On this note,we have helped you do some more research on Dangote Refinery salary by making reasonable assumptions with regards figures for various positions and interviews with some staff of the refinery.
We shall also discuss the requirements for getting in the Dangote Refinery.
Also see: Massive Recruitment at Dangote Industries Limited
Dangote Petroleum Refinery Salary By Position
1. Entry-Level & Operator Roles
These positions are the backbone of the refinery’s daily operations. They typically require an OND, HND, or B.Sc. in a relevant field.
- Process Plant Operator: The individuals responsible for controlling and monitoring the refinery’s complex systems.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦250,000 – ₦450,000
- Laboratory Technician: Conducts quality control tests on raw materials and finished products.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦180,000 – ₦350,000
- Mechanical Fitter / Technician: Performs maintenance and repairs on plant equipment.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦200,000 – ₦400,000
- Graduate Trainee: Fresh graduates entering the company’s structured training program. Their starting salary is competitive, with rapid growth upon completion.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦150,000 – ₦250,000
2. Engineering & Technical Roles
This is where the refinery’s technical expertise lies. These roles almost always require a B.Eng. or B.Tech and often professional certifications (COREN) and years of relevant experience.
- Process Engineer: Optimizes production processes for efficiency and safety.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000
- Mechanical Engineer: Designs, oversees, and troubleshoots mechanical systems.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦550,000 – ₦1,100,000
- Instrumentation & Control Engineer: Manages the automated systems that run the plant.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦580,000 – ₦1,150,000
- Electrical Engineer: Ensures the reliable supply and distribution of power.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦540,000 – ₦1,000,000
- Civil & Structural Engineer: Handles the maintenance of the refinery’s infrastructure.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦500,000 – ₦900,000
3. Mid-Level Management & Supervisory Roles
These professionals lead teams and departments, requiring a blend of technical knowledge and leadership skills.
- Shift Supervisor: Manages the entire operations team for a specific shift.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦800,000 – ₦1,500,000
- Maintenance Manager: Oversees all maintenance activities to ensure plant reliability.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦1,500,000 – ₦2,500,000
- Production Superintendent: Manages the overall production output and efficiency of a specific unit.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦1,200,000 – ₦2,200,000
4. Senior Management & Specialist Roles
These are the top-tier roles with significant responsibility for the refinery’s strategic direction and performance.
- Unit Manager (e.g., Crude Unit, FCCU): Has full responsibility for a major section of the refinery.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦2,500,000 – ₦4,500,000+
- Head of Department (e.g., Head of HR, Head of Finance): Leads a core corporate function.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦3,000,000 – ₦6,000,000+
- General Manager / Director of Operations: At the apex of the operational hierarchy.
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦5,000,000 – ₦10,000,000+
The “Total Package” at Dangote Refinery – Allowances and Bonuses
The salary of Dangote Refinery is only the tip of the iceberg. Part of what makes the Dangote Refinery a great place to work is the employee benefits package.
These benefits can add even more value to your salary. Some of the benefits staff of Dangote refinery stand to gain are:
- Health Coverage: Employees and their families receive top of the line health benefits.
- Pension: There is a great contributory pension plan in accordance with Nigeria’s laws.
- Annual Leave: Employees are granted the legal required amount of leave in a year.
- Transport: Employees can use the company buses that go to and from the Lekki site.
- Meals: Employees can buy decent meals at a low price during their work day.
- Professional Development: Employees are sponsored to attend training, workshops, and other educational activities outside of the country.
- Promotions: Employees are promoted to higher positions based on their performance.
How to Get a Job at Dangote Refinery (Employment Opportunities)
Now that you’ve seen the salaries, the next question on your mind is probably, “How do I get a job there?” I will walk you through the steps.
Get the Educational Background: A degree is necessary. It must be a good degree in Engineering, Chemistry or something similar for the technical positions, and for the corporate positions, one must have Finance, HR, or Supply Chain Management.
Get the Experience: Dangote Refinery puts a lot of value on experience. Prior work in the oil and gas, manufacturing, or FMCG is a must.
Build Specialized Skills: Certifications in safety (HSE), project management (PMP, PRINCE2), and specific technical software can make your CV stand out.
Monitor Official Channels: Don’t fall for scam job offers. All genuine vacancies are advertised on the official Dangote Group career portal:
Also, check reputable job boards like LinkedIn, Ogajob, and MyJobMag.
The Application Process can be tedious and may involve:
- Focused and keyworded CV tailored to the job description.
- Numerical and verbal reasoning tests, as well as a technical aptitude test.
- The Dangote Group also has a robust interview process. Expect more than one interview. HR, technical, and panel interviews are common for candidates meeting the manager level and above.
Negotiating Your Salary
As an experienced hire, you should always keep in mind that you can negotiate an offer once you have received it.
Understanding Your Value
Familiarize yourself with the data in this article to begin forming a solid foundation, and benchmark expectations against the salary ranges.
Highlight Your Unique Value:
Demonstrate the skills and experience you have and any role-related certifications you have in addition to the role.
Consider the Total Package:
If you determine that the base salary is non-negotiable, focus on other areas that you can negotiate instead, such as the housing allowance, a sign-on bonus, or a budget for professional development.
Also see: Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc – A Leader in the Sugar Industry
The Final Word: Is Dangote Refinery a good place to work?
For the most part, the expectations surrounding the Dangote Refinery salary scale complement the hype. The compensation and benefits packages that the company provides are one of the most competitive in Nigeria as he is trying to lure the country’s best professionals into a pivotal industrial development in the country.
Yes, the salary is on the higher end of the scale. However, this is in line with the high expectations, advanced skills required, and a culture of high performance.
A career at Dangote Refinery for an advanced professional in Nigeria is much more than a well-compensated role. It offers the prospect of working on transformative initiatives at the fine end of the industrial value chain in Africa, with a wealth of career and personal development opportunities.
If you have the skills, as well as the drive and resilience, the Dangote Refinery is likely the career springboard you have been looking for.
Disclaimer:
The salary figures provided in this article are estimates for the year 2025 based on current market research, employee reports, and industry trends. They are not official figures from the Dangote Group. Final offered salaries are always subject to the specific role, the candidate’s experience, and the company’s internal compensation structure at the time of hiring.
How much does Dangote Refinery pay a graduate trainee?
Dangote refinery salary scale in nigeria 2025 for fresh
Dangote Refinery Salary Scale For Engineers
Dangote Refinery recruitment 2025