Dangote Petroleum Refinery Plc has assured Nigerian consumers of an end to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol scarcity, citing the country’s entry into a new phase of abundance. The newly appointed Managing Director of the Refinery, David Bird, made this statement at a press briefing in Lagos, following the facility’s seamless supplies during the last Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Bird described the development as a significant achievement, highlighting that Nigeria is now consuming world-quality fuels, produced to Euro 5 standards. The refinery’s output represents a major public health improvement, not just in volume but in quality, with lower sulphur and cleaner fuels. This is a significant departure from the historical dumping of inferior fuel products in West Africa.
The refinery has achieved a daily supply of 1000 trucks and 500 million liters, contributing to stable and lower fuel prices, which in turn support economic stability and the naira. The company plans to further invest in refining capacity and expand polypropylene production to 2.4 million tonnes, strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating a large industrial ecosystem.
Bird debunked claims that the N739 petrol price is “anti-competitive,” stating that the retail price is fully competitive and that consumers have a choice. He emphasized the importance of domestic refining in insulating Nigeria from global oil price volatility, explaining that reliance on imports exposes the country to fluctuations in crude and product prices.
The refinery’s expansion plans include a “ruthless replication” of its operations, with steel structures expected to start rising before the end of 2026. The facility has achieved an off-take of over 50 million liters per day, matching production levels, and can export excess volumes if necessary. The company is also focusing on polypropylene production, with plans to increase capacity to 2.4 million tonnes, and potentially diversify into detergents, base oils, lubricants, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the future.
The crude-for-naira programme has contributed significantly to stabilizing the naira, with 30-40% of the refinery’s crude supply currently coming from the scheme. The refinery continues to engage with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the government to improve crude allocations and volumes. With its expansion plans and commitment to domestic refining, Dangote Petroleum Refinery Plc is poised to play a significant role in Nigeria’s energy sector, providing high-quality fuels and contributing to the country’s economic stability.
