‘Misleading Narratives’ – Dangote Refinery Denies Importing Finished Petrol, Diesel

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has dismissed reports alleging that it imports finished petroleum products, describing the claims as inaccurate and rooted in a misunderstanding of how modern refineries operate globally.

Naija News reports that the management of the refinery clarified its position during a media briefing at the facility, where it explained that its operations are consistent with global industry practices for large-scale merchant refineries.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the refinery, David Bird, said the facility refines crude oil and processes intermediate feedstocks into premium petroleum products and petrochemicals that meet international standards.

According to him, the use of semi-processed or intermediate materials is a standard practice within the global refining industry and should not be interpreted as importing finished petroleum products.

“As a state-of-the-art, large-scale merchant refinery, DPRP refines crude oil and processes intermediate feedstocks into premium petroleum products and petrochemicals that meet the highest international standards,” Bird said.

Bird explained that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery operates using a European and Asian merchant refinery model, which integrates advanced refining, blending and trading systems to meet modern quality and environmental benchmarks.

He stressed that the refinery produces fuels that comply with international environmental and health standards.

“DPRP produces high quality fuels aligned with international environmental and health standards. Our gasoline is lead free and MMT free with 50 parts per million sulphur, while our diesel meets ultra low sulphur specifications. These standards help reduce emissions, protect engines, and safeguard public health,” he stated.

‘Only Market-ready Products Supplied’

The CEO reaffirmed that the refinery supplies only fully refined and market-ready products, noting that semi-finished fuels are not suitable for vehicles and are not released into the Nigerian market.

He added that samples of intermediate feedstocks and fully refined products were displayed to journalists during the briefing to demonstrate the difference.

Bird also said the refinery was established to end years of exposure to substandard fuel in Nigeria by providing products that meet strict global benchmarks.

He noted that DPRP’s products are already being exported to international markets, underscoring their quality and competitiveness.

He explained that intermediate materials such as naphtha, straight-run gas oil, vacuum gas oil, reformate, alkylate and isomerate serve as feedstock for additional refining into finished fuels like petrol and diesel, as well as petrochemicals.

Naija News reports that Bird emphasised the refinery’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, urging journalists to help educate the public on the distinction between intermediate products and finished fuels.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals are deliberately spreading misleading narratives about a refinery that has transformed Nigeria and the West African region from a dumping ground for substandard fuels into a hub for high quality products,” he said.

He added that the refinery’s flexible design allows it to process a wide range of crude oils and intermediate feedstocks into premium finished fuels.

Bird assured Nigerians of sustained availability of petroleum products, stating that the refinery has contributed to easing fuel scarcity, stabilising the naira and reducing pressure on foreign exchange.

Also speaking, the Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, urged journalists to exercise precision in their reporting.

He warned that inaccurate terminology could misinform the public and trigger unnecessary panic, stressing the need for responsible coverage of the refinery’s operations and the petroleum sector at large.