Nelisiwe Mokoena, a chemical engineer with Field Operating Service (FOS) at Honeywell UOP in South Africa, has shared her excitement after visiting the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
A graduate of the University of Johannesburg with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Nelisiwe posted photographs from her visit to the refinery, offering a glimpse into the experience.
Chemical engineer shares experience at Dangote Refinery
In a LinkedIn post published on July 2, Nelisiwe explained that the trip to the Dangote Refinery formed part of her Field Operating Services (FOS) development journey.
She described the Dangote Refinery as one of the largest refineries in the world and said seeing the massive equipment in person reaffirmed her passion for pursuing a career in chemical engineering.
Reflecting on the visit, Nelisiwe said the opportunity allowed her to witness the enormous scale, technical complexity, and engineering excellence behind the facility.
She also expressed appreciation to everyone who had believed in her and provided opportunities that contributed to her professional growth.
She wrote:
“From South Africa to one of the world’s largest refineries. This week, I had the opportunity to support Honeywell UOP at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of my Field Operating Services (FOS) development journey. “
“Standing in front of equipment that I’ve spent months learning about reminded me why I chose chemical engineering.
“There’s a big difference between studying a process, supporting it remotely, and seeing it operating in person. Every site visit brings a deeper understanding that simply can’t be gained from a screen.
“As a chemical engineer, it was an incredible experience to see the world’s largest single-train refinery firsthand. Witnessing the scale, complexity, and engineering behind such a facility is something I’ll always remember, and it has made me even more excited about the career path I’ve chosen.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, engage with customers, and continue developing both my technical knowledge and field experience. Every assignment is another step toward becoming a better engineer. Thank you to everyone who has supported and trusted me with opportunities like this. I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Here are some reactions by netizens to her post;
Yemiye Bello said: “Yeah, it’s a nice place to explore and gain more knowledge on some of the biggest equipment.”
Rajesh Gattupalli said: “Great work, Nelisiwe! I look forward to seeing your continued growth and the meaningful contributions you will make to this industry.”
Justice Oleka said: “Congratulations and welcome. From your picture that’s CDU heater area. Welcome to my unit Looking forward to learn something new.”
GODWIN ANTHONY said: “Congratulations 🎊 👏 ma’am. “I am really so happy for you, ma “And this even makes me more proud of being a chemical engineering undergraduate.”
