…erase doubt about the capacity of domestic refineries to meet daily consumption
… to Supply 1.5 Billion Litres of Petrol Monthly
… Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
…Invites NMDPRA to refinery for daily monitoring of production output
Siaka MOMOH
Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it will commence the production of 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS ) otherwise known as petrol today. This is to remove every doubt about the ability of domestic refineries to meet the country’s daily consumption of petrol.
The company’s claim that it is able to meet the nation’s daily consumption has been a subject of controversy among stakeholders.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery while announcing its plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year, also stated that it will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend.
In what appears to be a response to the recently published Fact Sheet by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) where the activities of the various downstream operators are made public, the Dangote Refinery stated that the 50 million litres daily production starting from today should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.75 billion litres in February, which translates to over 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
In a letter signed by David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, and addressed to the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, the company invited the regulator to independently verify its actual daily production capacity, countering prevailing speculations.
“We request your support to host NMDPRA officials onsite at our refinery starting December 1, to validate and publicly confirm our daily supply volumes. In the interest of full transparency, we are prepared to publish our daily production and stock figures across both online and print media.”
However, an official of NMDPRA that spoke to Business Standards on Sunday stated that though he is aware of the invitation of Dangote Refinery through the media, he was not sure the letter has gotten to the Authority by Sunday, which was yesterday. He stated further that by today, Monday, he believes the letter would be received by the Authority
The Dangote Refinery supplied an average of 18.03 million litres of petrol per day between October 2024 and October 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The NMDPRA October 2025 ‘State of the Midstream and Downstream Fact Sheet’ showed that the refinery’s output falls short of the 35 million litres supply announced by the NMDPRA last year.
The data raises concerns about a recent move by the Nigerian government to place a tariff on petrol imports, despite the inability of local refineries to meet demand.
On 13 November, the Nigerian government said the implementation of a 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, announced by President Bola Tinubu in October, was “no longer in view”.
Dangote further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
