Dangote Petroleum Refinery Plc has assured Nigerians that petrol scarcity is over. The company says the country has entered a new phase of abundance.
In a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, newly appointed Managing Director David Bird highlighted the refinery’s performance during the recent Christmas and New Year holidays. He called it “a significant achievement.”
Bird stated that Nigeria is now consuming world-quality fuels, produced to Euro 5 standards. The refinery also exports gasoline to Europe and jet fuel to markets such as Dubai.
He criticised the historical dumping of inferior fuels in West Africa. According to Bird, Dangote Refinery’s output represents “a major public health improvement, not just in volume but in quality, with lower sulphur and cleaner fuels.”
Bird explained that the refinery has achieved off-take of over 50 million litres per day, matching production levels. He said:
“So we have been easily able to achieve over a thousand trucks of offtake. So it’s not just the production, it’s also the offtake that has achieved 50 million liters a day. And then look, it’s volatile, right? So we see a dip on the weekends and so forth. And obviously it all depends on the demand and what is further inland in terms of stocks and volumes. But very confident going forward that that will be the offtake—or certainly as needed. If not, we can export.”
He added:
“We have been able to achieve 1000 trucks daily and 50 million liters a day.”
Bird noted that stable and lower fuel prices are helping economic stability, including support for the naira.
On expansion, he said:
“Dangote’s vision for the expansion is all about enforcing lower costs that can expand to areas that are population-led.”
Bird debunked claims that the N739 petrol price was “anti-competitive.” He said:
“The retail price is fully competitive. The consumer has a choice to choose whichever, and I’d like to see a change in how regulator works for the market.”
He emphasized:
“Nigeria is now enjoying world-class fuel. We have the capacity, and we must make sure our production matches the European quality. This is a continental project. This is not just a crude processing plant, and our objective is to drive price stability within a range of the international benchmark market.”
About the refinery’s structure, he said:
“Dangote Refinery is not a conventional single-crude refinery, but a highly flexible merchant refining, blending and trading platform.”
Bird explained the expansion plan is a “ruthless replication.” He said the refinery can build it in three years.
“We’d be placing all of our long-term procurement,” he added. He noted that “Despite ramping up some units in the second half of 2025, it consistently supplied over 50 million litres of finished fuel daily, sometimes exceeding 52 million litres.”
He added:
“Off-take fluctuates depending on demand, but the refinery can export excess volumes if necessary.”
Bird also highlighted that 30 to 40 per cent of the refinery’s crude supply comes from the naira-for-crude programme. He said this has helped stabilise the naira.
The refinery plans to expand polypropylene production to 2.4 million tonnes, supporting import substitution and industrial growth. These developments aim to secure Nigeria’s energy supply and reduce reliance on imports.
For more stories like this visit naijabeats.com
