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A young engineer from Benue State, Engr. Cynthia Aondo, has etched her name in the records of one of Africa’s most significant industrial projects by becoming the first female engineer from her state to join the engineering team at the Dangote Refinery.
The landmark achievement was celebrated widely on social media after being shared by activist D’nkaked Elder Sughnnen Yaaya, who described it as a groundbreaking milestone that highlights the rising presence of women from Benue in high-level technical roles.
Engr. Aondo hails from Ukan in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State. Her appointment at the world-class facility—located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos—comes at a time when the refinery is being recognised for deliberately recruiting and developing Nigerian talent, including women, across various engineering disciplines.
With a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery stands as the largest single-train refinery in the world and a flagship project in Nigeria’s push for energy self-sufficiency. The inclusion of Engr. Aondo underscores the company’s commitment to gender diversity and local content in a sector historically dominated by men.
The news has resonated strongly in Benue, where many have pointed out the contrast between outdated stereotypes and the reality of determined young women from the state succeeding in competitive fields. Commentators noted that when Cynthia left Benue for Lagos, some had cynically assumed she was heading to engage in less reputable work. Today, her success is held up as powerful evidence of the fearlessness, hard work, dedication, and focus that characterise many women from the state.
The post also highlighted that the Dangote Refinery already employs at least two female truck drivers from Benue State, further illustrating the growing pipeline of talent from the region into strategic national industries.
Engr. Aondo’s accomplishment is being celebrated as an inspiration for young girls and women across Nigeria pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It reinforces the message that legal, legitimate hustling and professional excellence remain viable paths to upward mobility, regardless of gender or state of origin.
As calls continue for more young women to be encouraged and supported in technical fields, Cynthia Aondo’s story stands as a beacon of what is possible when talent meets opportunity.
