Key points
- The fuel production of Dangote Refinery now surpasses national demand.
- The company backs new tariffs protecting Nigerian refineries.
- Expansion aims to reach 1.4 million barrels per day within three years.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery plans to keep Nigeria well supplied with petrol and diesel during Christmas and New Year. The company’s daily production now exceeds national demand.
Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries, explained in a weekend statement that the refinery delivers over 45 million liters of petrol and 25 million liters of diesel each day.
“Our output now exceeds national consumption,” Chiejina noted. “We’re working with regulators and major marketers so fuel reaches all parts of the country. The goal is to keep Nigeria moving.”
Support for government’s tariff policy
According to Chiejina, more local refining has helped the naira. It has reduced the foreign exchange costs tied to fuel imports.
He also backed the government’s new tariff rule on petroleum imports. The policy, he said, prevents dumping of cheap foreign fuel and protects local producers.
“Dumping destroys jobs and weakens trust in local production,” he added. “Low-priced imports can cripple Nigerian refineries.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the tariff policy, describing it as a move that improves energy security and encourages investment in local capacity.
Impact on fuel prices
The refinery began gasoline production in September. Since then, analysts have linked it to lower pump prices.
Petrol, once selling for around N1,030 per liter last year, now goes for between N841 and N851 in major cities.
Diesel prices have dropped too—from about N1,700 to roughly N1,020 per liter.
Nigeria has faced years of fuel shortages, long queues, and reliance on imports despite being Africa’s top crude producer.
Dangote mentioned in Lagos last month that the refinery will keep fuel prices steady during the festive period. “Nigerians can expect to move freely this season,” he assured.
Expansion plans
Launched in 2024 with a capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, the refinery now processes about 650,000 barrels daily.
Dangote, whose net worth Bloomberg places at $30.6 billion, hopes to double capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years.
He also noted that the group is seeking about $5 billion in new funding to expand operations and boost Nigeria’s energy independence.
