President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has warned that artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional engineering systems and replace some tasks currently handled by human engineers.

He made the statement in Lagos on Friday during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.

According to Dangote, AI is already changing many industries and may soon take over engineering designs that have historically depended on human expertise.

He said professionals in the field must take urgent steps to shape how artificial intelligence is taught and applied in engineering.

Dangote urged engineers to actively contribute to discussions about the future of their profession instead of waiting for technology to define it for them.

He stressed that engineering remains critical to national development and industrial growth.

According to him, no nation can industrialise without the creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving abilities of engineers.

Dangote described engineers as silent builders of progress whose work powers roads, homes, factories, and the economy.

He also highlighted the role engineering has played in the success of the Dangote Group, including the construction of the Dangote Refinery and other large-scale projects.

The billionaire businessman said thousands of engineers currently work across Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser, and other company operations.

He added that the company is one of Nigeria’s largest employers of engineering and technology graduates.

On training and development, Dangote said the company created the Dangote Academy to help young engineers gain practical industrial experience.

He revealed that many engineers have also been sent abroad for advanced technical training.

However, he warned that Nigeria must produce more skilled engineers if it wants to compete globally.

He pointed to countries like China, which have invested heavily in engineering education and technical talent.

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering said Dangote’s honour recognises his major contributions to engineering-led industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Lagos State Government representatives also praised the Dangote Refinery, describing it as one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever completed on the continent.

Dangote’s remarks come as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide, raising both opportunities and concerns for the future of work.