Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Dangote Refinery has commenced discussion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, with a view to receiving more crude supply under the naira-crude arrangement.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the refinery David Bird, emphasized the facility’s advanced design and operational flexibility, which enable sustained high output even during scheduled maintenance.
Bird stated: “Dangote Refinery delivers world-class fuels meeting Euro V specifications to the Nigerian market, marking a decisive shift from the era of substandard imports. Our ability to export refined petrol to Europe and jet fuel to the Middle East underscores the quality and global competitiveness of our products.
“With our scale, efficiency, and product quality, we are positioned to compete globally while meeting Nigeria’s domestic needs. This investment fundamentally transforms Nigeria’s energy, industrial, and economic landscape.”
Bird said the refinery currently produced between 50 and 52 million litres a day and would position the facility to upscale production with the upgrade plan.
According to him, market volatility has made it difficult to fully determine domestic volume demand but said over one thousand trucks load daily at N699 per liter gantry price.
He assured that quality of petrol from the refinery would be maintained and affordability assured.
Looking ahead, Bird revealed plans for a major expansion within three years, alongside investments in petrochemicals such as polypropylene, base oils, and liquefied petroleum gas, LPG. He added that preparations are underway to list a portion of the refinery on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, enabling Nigerians to participate directly in its ownership.
Describing the project as a continent-building investment, Bird expressed pride in its transformative impact: “It’s no exaggeration to say this is a continent-building project. I arrived in August and stand on the shoulders of giants who have achieved incredible milestones to turn this part of Lagos into what has the potential to become a world-scale industrial hub.”
Speaking on plans to upgrade the refinery he said it was still ongoing and would be completed in the next three years.
He reconfirmed that the 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery would be expanded to 1.4mn b/d by 2028.
The company aims to add a second 750,000 b/d processing line at its site in Lagos, largely replicating the existing plant, which began commercial operations last year. Lessons from the first build and existing infrastructure will allow the second line to be delivered more quickly, he said.
“A doubling of capacity was part of the original design, but the company opted to assess performance before committing to expansion. It has now decided to proceed with the second line within three years,” he said.
On the free delivery plan, Bird said it was still being worked out and would begin soon.
