Dangote refinery: Fuel supply now exceeds Nigeria’s demand

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says the supply of petroleum products has now exceeded Nigeria’s demand, with daily petrol loading reaching 45 million litres and diesel standing at 25 million litres.

In a statement on Saturday, Anthony Chiejina, the group chief branding and communications officer at Dangote Industries Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products nationwide.

“Our refinery is currently loading over 45 million litres of PMS and 25 million litres of diesel daily which exceeds Nigeria’s demand.

“We are working collaboratively with regulatory agencies and distribution partners to guarantee efficient nationwide delivery. Dangote remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians.

This significant production capacity not only guarantees local supply but also enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports,” Chiejina said

Chiejina added that improved local production has helped to strengthen the naira.

“We have reduced foreign exchange outflows and increased inflows, which in turn supports the naira and strengthens the economy,” he said.

‘15% Import Tariff Will Protect Domestic Industries’

Speaking on the federal government’s new 15 percent tariff on imported petroleum products, the refinery official said it would be “unpatriotic” for anyone to criticise it, describing it as “a good start”.

He said the tariff is “designed to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and safeguard local production.”

“Dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialisation, creates unemployment and leads to revenue loss for the government.

“Across the world, nations protect their local manufacturers and industries from the threat of dumping.

“Dumping destroyed our textile industry, which was once a major employer of labour and creator of wealth,” Chiejina said.

He advised the government to strengthen its monitoring “to prevent the dumping of substandard and toxic petroleum products” by “unscrupulous and rent-seeking individuals who prioritise profiteering at the expense of Nigerians”.

Chiejina warned that failure to protect local industries could lead to large-scale dumping that would “strangulate domestic refineries” and undermine the “laudable policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

‘Tinubu’s Reforms Reshaping Downstream Sector’

Chiejina commended President Bola Tinubu for the tariff policy, stating that his “courageous and visionary leadership” is “renewing the hope of Nigerians and restoring investor confidence in the nation’s economy”.

“His administration’s bold and business-friendly reforms are reshaping the downstream oil and gas sector, unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth and national prosperity,” Chiejina said.

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), also recently assured Nigerians that petrol prices will not be hiked during the ember months.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of petrol throughout the festive period.

“Nigerians can look forward to a Christmas and New Year free of fuel anxiety,” Dangote was quoted as saying,” the African richest man said.

Chiejina also added that the refinery has “eliminated the recurring fuel scarcity” and played a “pivotal role” in ensuring price stability.

According to the statement, the average price of petrol in September 2024 was about N1,030 per litre, compared to “an average of N841-N851 per litre in September 2025”.

“Similarly, as of September 2024, the pump price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) ranged between N1,400 and N1,700 per litre…

“By September 2025, however, the average price had dropped significantly to around N1,020 per litre,” the statement read.

The company said that while petrol prices in neighbouring West African countries range between $1.20 and $2.00 per litre, the average price in Nigeria remains at about $0.60 per litre, which is a “clear indication” of the refinery’s “profound impact on affordability and supply stability”.