Dangote Refinery Refutes Petrol Import Claims, Reaffirms Global-Standard Operations
SAMUEL MOBOLAJI
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has firmly denied reports suggesting that it imports finished petroleum products, describing such claims as misleading and based on a misunderstanding of global refining practices.
At a media briefing, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director David Bird clarified that the refinery processes crude oil and intermediate feedstocks into premium fuels and petrochemicals that meet international standards.
He explained that handling semi-processed materials such as naphtha, vacuum gas oil, and reformate is standard practice in the global refining industry, but does not equate to importing finished petrol or diesel.
Bird emphasised that the Dangote Refinery operates on a European and Asian merchant refinery model, integrating advanced refining, blending, and trading systems. “Our gasoline is lead-free and MMT-free with 50 parts per million sulphur, while our diesel meets ultra-low sulphur specifications. These standards reduce emissions, protect engines, and safeguard public health,” he said.
He stressed that the refinery supplies only fully refined, market-ready products, noting that semi-finished fuels are unsuitable for vehicles and are never released into the Nigerian market. Samples of both intermediate feedstocks and finished fuels were displayed to journalists to reinforce transparency.
Bird highlighted that the refinery was established to end Nigeria’s reliance on substandard fuels, positioning the country and West Africa as a hub for high-quality petroleum products. He added that DPRP’s fuels are now exported to international markets, underscoring their competitiveness.
The CEO also pointed to the refinery’s flexible design, which allows it to process diverse crude oils and feedstocks into premium finished fuels. He assured Nigerians of sustained product availability, noting that the refinery has already helped ease fuel scarcity, stabilise the naira, and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.
Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, urged journalists to use precise terminology, warning that inaccurate reporting could misinform the public and create unnecessary panic.
Bird concluded by stressing DPRP’s commitment to transparency and regulatory engagement, while dismissing what he described as “deliberately misleading narratives” about the refinery’s operations. “This refinery has transformed Nigeria and the West African region from a dumping ground for substandard fuels into a hub for high-quality products,” he said.gu
