The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has pushed back against claims from oil marketers that it lacks the capacity to meet Nigeria’s fuel needs, insisting it produces more than enough for both domestic consumption and exports.
Officials from the $20 billion facility dismissed recent allegations by members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), who suggested the refinery’s output is falling short. Speaking anonymously, a refinery representative emphasized that Dangote’s operations are robust, with millions of litres distributed daily and surplus fuel shipped to other African markets.
This dispute follows remarks by Dangote Group founder, Aliko Dangote, who accused certain powerful interests of attempting to derail the refinery’s progress. He argued that entrenched importers, who profited from years of subsidized fuel shipments, are resisting the shift toward self-sufficiency in refining.
DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, rejected talk of a conspiracy but acknowledged private depot owners’ deep investments in the sector. He maintained that these players are still crucial to bridging supply gaps, despite Dangote’s assertions of surplus production.
According to Adewole, Nigeria’s fuel consumption is still not fully met by local output. However, Dangote officials countered, claiming that historic consumption figures were inflated during the subsidy era, a tactic they say masked smuggling and inefficiencies. They now promise that the refinery’s operations will soon reveal Nigeria’s true fuel demand.
Refinery Vice President Davakumar Edwin detailed current production levels, noting daily outputs of 57 million litres of petrol, 20 million litres of jet fuel, and 37 million litres of diesel. With Nigeria’s local consumption estimated at about 46 million litres per day, Edwin argued that Dangote’s 650,000 barrels per day capacity can comfortably serve the domestic market, while still exporting significant volumes.
Storage figures further back up these claims, with the refinery reportedly maintaining vast reserves — including tanks capable of holding hundreds of millions of litres of various petroleum products, enough to supply the country for weeks without disruption.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent policy moves to reduce fuel imports and boost local refining have added fuel to the ongoing debate. Dangote’s camp supports the administration’s ‘Nigeria First’ stance but warns that vested interests may continue to resist these changes to protect their profits.
Accusations have also emerged that some importers engaged in questionable practices during the subsidy years, including round-tripping — a scheme where fuel is documented as imported but never actually delivered, boosting illegal profits.
As of April 2025, official figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicate a sharp drop in fuel imports, from over 44 million litres daily last year to under 15 million litres now. Still, discrepancies in reported consumption figures have sparked confusion and underscored ongoing challenges in accurately measuring Nigeria’s fuel demand.
Dangote, undeterred by the growing pushback, remains confident. “We’re fighting, and I know we will win,” he stated, vowing to overcome the entrenched opposition and solidify his refinery’s position as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy security.
As the refinery ramps up toward full capacity, the spotlight will remain firmly on whether it can deliver on its promises and reshape Nigeria’s petroleum landscape.
