Dangote Petroleum Refinery has declared that petrol scarcity in Nigeria is now a thing of the past, assuring Nigerians of sustained fuel availability through local refining.
The assurance was given on Wednesday in Lagos by the newly appointed Managing Director of the refinery, David Bird, during a press briefing following what he described as uninterrupted fuel supply throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Bird stated that the refinery’s smooth operations during the festive season clearly demonstrated its capacity to stabilise Nigeria’s domestic fuel market. According to him, Nigeria has entered a new phase of fuel abundance, driven by local production rather than import dependence.
He noted that beyond availability, the refinery is delivering high-quality petroleum products that meet international standards.
“Nigeria is now receiving world-quality fuels produced to Euro 5 standards. We export gasoline to Europe and jet fuel to markets such as Dubai,” Bird said.
Bird criticised the long-standing practice of dumping substandard fuel products in West Africa, stressing that Dangote Refinery’s cleaner, low-sulphur fuels represent a major improvement for public health across the region.
He disclosed that the refinery has reached significant production and evacuation milestones, achieving up to 1,000 truck movements daily and producing over 50 million litres of finished fuel per day, sometimes exceeding 52 million litres.
According to Bird, stable fuel supply and relatively lower prices are already contributing positively to Nigeria’s economy, including supporting the strength of the naira.
He also revealed plans to expand refining capacity and increase polypropylene production to 2.4 million tonnes, a move expected to boost domestic manufacturing and create a large industrial ecosystem.
Addressing claims by some industry players that the ₦739 per litre petrol price is anti-competitive, Bird dismissed the allegations, stating that the price is market-driven.
“The retail price is fully competitive. Consumers have a choice, and the market should be allowed to work,” he said.
Also speaking at the briefing, Anthony Chiejina, Head of Communications for the Dangote Group, highlighted the importance of domestic refining in the face of global oil market disruptions, including the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.
Bird further stressed that reliance on fuel imports exposes Nigeria to international price shocks, while local production guarantees stability.
“This is a continental project, not just a crude processing plant. Our objective is to drive price stability within international benchmark ranges,” he said.
On expansion plans, Bird explained that the refinery intends to replicate its model, noting that a similar facility could be built within three years. He added that steel structures for expansion are expected to begin rising before the end of 2026.
The Managing Director also disclosed that between 30 and 40 per cent of the refinery’s crude supply currently comes from the crude-for-naira programme, reiterating that sustained local refining is essential to securing Nigeria’s long-term energy future.
Dangote Refinery, he concluded, remains central to ensuring fuel availability, price stability, and industrial growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
