Dangote Refinery Fires Back: ‘We’re Not Importing Petrol Or Diesel

According to Ireporter Online, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has refuted claims that it imports finished petroleum products, describing such reports as misleading and based on a misunderstanding of modern refinery operations.

The refinery’s management made the clarification during a media briefing at its facility, emphasizing that its operations follow global best practices for large-scale merchant refineries.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director David Bird explained that the refinery processes crude oil and intermediate feedstocks into premium petroleum products and petrochemicals that comply with international standards. He noted that the use of semi-processed materials is a common practice in the global refining industry and should not be interpreted as importing finished fuels.

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

He highlighted that the refinery operates under a European and Asian merchant model, integrating advanced refining, blending, and trading systems to ensure compliance with modern quality and environmental standards. Bird further stated that DPRP’s gasoline is lead- and MMT-free with 50 parts per million sulphur, while its diesel meets ultra-low sulphur specifications, contributing to reduced emissions, engine protection, and public health safety.

Bird reaffirmed that the refinery supplies only fully refined, market-ready fuels, clarifying that semi-finished products are not suitable for vehicles and are not distributed in Nigeria. During the briefing, journalists were shown samples of both intermediate feedstocks and finished fuels to highlight the distinction.

He added that DPRP was established to eliminate substandard fuel from the Nigerian market and to provide products meeting stringent global benchmarks. The refinery’s products are already being exported to international markets, underscoring their quality and competitiveness. Bird explained that intermediate materials such as naphtha, straight-run gas oil, vacuum gas oil, reformate, alkylate, and isomerate serve as feedstocks for further refining into finished fuels and petrochemicals.

Bird emphasized the refinery’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance and called on journalists to educate the public on the differences between intermediate products and finished fuels. “It is unfortunate that misleading narratives are being spread about a refinery that has transformed Nigeria and West Africa from a dumping ground for substandard fuels into a hub for high-quality products,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of sustained petroleum availability, noting that the refinery has contributed to easing fuel scarcity, stabilizing the naira, and reducing foreign exchange pressure.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, also urged journalists to exercise accuracy in reporting, warning that imprecise terminology could misinform the public and cause unnecessary panic. He stressed the importance of responsible coverage of the refinery and the petroleum sector.