Lagos, Nigeria – Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed claims that petroleum products supplied from its facility are being routed through Togo and subsequently re-imported into Nigeria, describing the allegations as “baseless, unsubstantiated and commercially illogical.”
In a statement titled “PMS: Response to Unsubstantiated Claims and Tissue of Lies” dated June 23, 2026, the refinery said it was compelled to respond due to widespread public discussion surrounding the allegation.
According to the company, its core objective is to make Nigeria a leading supplier of petroleum products to the Nigerian and African markets. It argued that facilitating the re-importation of its own products into Nigeria would contradict its business strategy and commercial interests.
Dangote Refinery stated that its sales contracts and tender terms expressly prohibit the resale or re-importation of products into Nigeria.
The company also questioned the economic logic behind the allegation, noting that transporting petroleum products from Nigeria to Lomé, Togo, and then back into Nigeria would add significant shipping, storage, financing, and handling costs estimated at between $58 and $90 per metric tonne.
It maintained that there is no commercial incentive for any producer to incur such additional costs only for products to return and compete in their largest market.
The refinery further disclosed that it maintains comprehensive records of all product sales, including lifting locations, nominated vessels, counterparties, and destination declarations where applicable. It said any suggestion that it knowingly facilitates re-importation is inconsistent with its contractual obligations and compliance procedures.
Reaffirming its longstanding position, Dangote Refinery said it has consistently advocated reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, arguing that increased imports place pressure on foreign exchange reserves and weaken domestic industrial development.
The company concluded that the allegations are not supported by market realities, contractual arrangements, trade economics, or its publicly stated commitment to local refining and energy security.
