Dangote Petroleum Refinery Plc has assured Nigerians that the era of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol scarcity, is over, declaring that the country has now entered a phase of fuel abundance.
The assurance was given on Wednesday in Lagos by the newly appointed Managing Director of the refinery, David Bird, during a press briefing following the facility’s uninterrupted fuel supply throughout the Christmas and New Year festive period.
Bird described the development as a major milestone, noting that beyond availability, Nigerians are now consuming world-class fuels produced to Euro 5 standards. He disclosed that the refinery currently exports gasoline to Europe and jet fuel to international markets, including Dubai.
He criticised the long-standing practice of dumping substandard fuel products in West Africa, stressing that Dangote Refinery’s output represents a significant public health and environmental gain due to its low sulphur content and cleaner quality.
“We have been able to achieve 1,000 trucks daily and 500 million litres a day,” Bird said, adding that stable and lower fuel prices are contributing to broader economic stability, including support for the naira.
The Managing Director also revealed plans to expand the refinery’s capacity and increase polypropylene production to 2.4 million tonnes, a move he said would strengthen domestic manufacturing and stimulate a large industrial ecosystem.
Bird dismissed claims by some industry players that the ₦739 petrol price is anti-competitive, insisting that pricing remains market-driven.
“The retail price is fully competitive. Consumers have choices, and I would like to see an evolution in how the regulator engages with the market,” he stated.
Speaking on global developments, Dangote Group’s Head of Communications, Anthony Chiejina, noted that Nigeria’s status as a producing nation positions it to benefit from disruptions in global oil markets, such as the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Bird added that domestic refining is critical to shielding Nigeria from international oil price volatility.
“Nigeria is now enjoying world-class fuel. This is a continental project, not just a crude processing plant. Our goal is to ensure price stability within the range of international benchmarks,” Bird said.
He disclosed that despite ramping up operations in the second half of 2025, the refinery consistently supplied over 50 million litres of finished fuel daily, sometimes exceeding 52 million litres.
Bird explained that the refinery’s flexibility allows it to match production with demand, export excess volumes, and maintain stable supply. He added that about 4,000 trucks are currently on-site and that a computerised security system will soon be deployed to ensure accurate fuel delivery.
On petrochemicals, Bird said polypropylene production remains central to the refinery’s strategy, with capacity set to rise from 800,000 tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes through phased expansion. He also hinted at future diversification into detergents, lubricants, base oils, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Addressing the crude-for-naira programme, Bird disclosed that 30 to 40 per cent of the refinery’s crude supply currently comes from the scheme, noting that it has played a key role in stabilising the naira. He added that discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Federal Government are ongoing to expand the programme in Nigeria’s long-term interest.
