Our Refinery May Export Products if Crude Imports Continue – Dangote
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured Nigerians of adequate fuel supply, but warned that it may export products if it continues to rely on imported crude.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Aliko Dangote said the refinery was almost out of aviation fuel and diesel but had petrol in excess.
“Today, we have almost sold out our jet fuel. We have almost sold out our gas oil. What we have is just the gasoline (petrol)… That’s the only one we have in excess,” he stated.
A senior Dangote Group official confirmed the refinery would prioritise Nigeria if crude is supplied locally.
“We will not starve Nigeria, as long as they keep giving us crude,” the official said, noting that the plant currently receives only five million barrels monthly, far below the 19.7 million barrels needed.
The refinery produces 75m litres of petrol, 25m litres of diesel, and 20m litres of aviation fuel daily, and recently sold 12 cargoes (456,000 tonnes) to Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo. Global buyers from Europe, Asia, and South America are also bidding for supplies.
CEO David Bird revealed that the refinery is buying Nigerian crude abroad at a premium, as it receives only five cargoes monthly instead of the agreed 13–15 under the government’s naira-for-crude deal.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has seen one of the sharpest global increases in diesel prices, rising 78.3% since the US–Iran war began, second only to the Philippines.
Prices jumped from ₦900 to ₦1,600 per litre, far outpacing increases in the U.S. (41.2%), Germany (30.9%), and the UK (18%).
Analysts warn that soaring diesel costs are driving up logistics and production expenses, adding pressure on inflation.
Marketers noted that without the Dangote refinery, prices could have hit ₦3,000 per litre.
The refinery’s challenges highlight Nigeria’s vulnerability to global fuel disruptions despite being an oil producer, underscoring the urgent need for stable crude supply and stronger domestic energy security.