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Dangote Petroleum Refinery, owned by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, has pushed back against claims that it imports finished petroleum products, calling the reports misleading and based on a poor understanding of how modern refineries work.
The company said it does not bring in ready-made petrol or diesel for resale. Instead, it processes crude oil and intermediate feedstocks into finished fuels that meet international quality standards.
Speaking at a media briefing at the refinery, Chief Executive Officer David Bird said the use of intermediate materials is standard practice across large merchant refineries worldwide and should not be confused with importing finished fuel.
“Processing intermediate feedstocks is a normal part of modern refining,” Bird said. “It does not mean you are importing finished products.”
Bird explained that the Dangote refinery operates along the same merchant refinery models used in Europe and Asia, where refineries combine refining, blending and trading to meet changing quality and environmental requirements.
He said the refinery produces market-ready petrol and diesel that comply with global environmental and health standards. According to him, the refinery’s petrol is lead-free and MMT-free, with sulphur levels of 50 parts per million, while its diesel meets ultra-low sulphur specifications.
“These standards reduce emissions, protect engines and improve public health,” Bird said.
He stressed that semi-processed materials are not sold into the Nigerian market and are unsuitable for vehicles. During the briefing, journalists were shown samples of intermediate feedstocks alongside finished fuels to highlight the difference.
The CEO emphasized that the refinery was designed to address Nigeria’s longstanding problem with substandard fuel imports and to supply products that meet strict global benchmarks. He added that Dangote’s refined products are already being exported to international markets, which he said reflects their quality and competitiveness.
He explained that materials such as naphtha, straight-run gas oil, vacuum gas oil, reformate, alkylate and isomerate are inputs that are further processed into finished petrol, diesel and petrochemical products.
Bird also said the refinery remains committed to transparency and regulatory compliance and urged the media to help clarify the distinction between feedstocks and finished fuels.
“It is unfortunate that misleading narratives are being spread about a refinery that has helped move Nigeria away from being a dumping ground for poor quality fuel,” he said.
He added that the refinery’s flexible design allows it to process different types of crude oil and intermediate materials, improving efficiency and output.
"The refinery has helped ease fuel shortages, reduce pressure on foreign exchange and support stability in the naira by cutting reliance on imports," Bird reported.
Also speaking, Dangote Industries Limited’s Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, called on journalists to use precise language when reporting on refinery operations.
He warned that inaccurate terminology could confuse the public and fuel unnecessary concern about the country’s fuel supply.
