The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a new phase of full-scale production, raising expectations of improved fuel supply, reduced import dependence and stabilised pump prices across Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference on the state of the $20bn Lekki-based facility on Wednesday, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the refinery was steadily ramping up output across key product lines, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and LPG, describing the development as a major boost to the nation’s energy security.
Bird said the refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was designed not only to meet domestic demand but also to position Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petroleum products in Africa and beyond.
“Our focus is to ensure consistent production, reliability of supply and affordability of petroleum products for Nigerians.
“As we scale operations, we expect to significantly reduce import bills, conserve foreign exchange and stabilise the downstream market,” he said.
Also speaking, the Head of Economic Scheduling and Planning at Dangote Refinery, Lindelani Zondi, said production scheduling had been optimised to prioritise local demand, while export volumes would be deployed strategically to earn foreign exchange and strengthen Nigeria’s balance of trade.
Zondi noted that the refinery’s complex configuration allows it to process a wide range of crude blends, adding that this flexibility would help shield the country from supply disruptions and international market volatility.
The Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the refinery’s progress underscored the group’s commitment to industrialisation and value addition within the Nigerian economy.
“This refinery is not just an energy project; it is an economic game-changer. Beyond ensuring fuel availability, it will drive job creation, stimulate ancillary industries and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness,” Chiejina said.
Industry analysts believe the full-scale operations of the refinery could transform Nigeria’s downstream sector, long plagued by fuel shortages, import dependence and subsidy pressures, while also strengthening government revenues from exports.
The Lekki facility is Africa’s largest single-train refinery and one of the biggest in the world, forming a central pillar of the Dangote Group’s industrial portfolio, which spans cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals and infrastructure.
Management assured stakeholders that the company would continue to engage regulators, marketers and distributors to ensure seamless product evacuation nationwide, as Nigerians anticipate a more stable fuel market in the coming months.
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