A year after it began producing petrol, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is celebrating a landmark achievement, with its president and chief executive, Aliko Dangote, declaring that it has effectively ended Nigeria's five-decade-long struggle with fuel queues. The pronouncement was made at a conference held on Monday at the refinery to mark the first anniversary of the facility's petrol production.
Dangote noted that Nigerians have endured persistent fuel queues since 1975, a problem that has been steadily resolved since the refinery began rolling out petrol on September 15, 2024. He described the past year as a "very rough journey," marked by resistance from powerful interests who he alleged prefer the business of fuel importation and see the refinery as a threat to their livelihoods. Dangote further claimed that these parties have attempted to sabotage the refinery in the same way they crippled Nigeria's once-thriving textile industry.
The refinery's operations have had a tangible impact on the Nigerian economy. Dangote revealed that the price of petrol has dropped from nearly N1,100 per litre before production began to around N841 in parts of the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Delta, and Kwara states. The refinery has also positioned Nigeria as a regional energy hub, exporting over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) between June and early September 2025. This export record, according to Dangote, is a definitive answer to claims that the facility lacks the capacity to meet domestic demand.
The Dangote Group is also focused on job creation and local industry support. The company recently deployed over 1,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for fuel distribution, with a plan to roll out a total of 4,000, which are expected to create at least 24,000 jobs. Dangote clarified that the company provides competitive wages and robust welfare packages for its workers, stating that drivers earn three times the minimum wage and are fully insured. He urged the National Assembly to enact laws that support the federal government's "Nigeria First" policy to protect local industries from being undermined by cheap imports.
The Dangote CEO also addressed concerns regarding the refinery's business model. He stated that the refinery has no plans to enter the retail market and will continue to focus on wholesale partnerships and supply, declining offers to acquire filling stations when they were available for sale. Looking ahead, Dangote announced plans to expand the refinery's capacity from its current 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day in its second year of operation. He said this will further solidify Nigeria's position as a refining hub for Africa and contribute to the country's economic growth. The ambitious project, which was built at a cost of approximately $20 billion, involved enormous risk, with Dangote admitting that lenders would have seized his assets had it failed. He credited his unwavering belief in Nigeria and Africa as the driving force behind the project's success.