The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has categorically denied viral reports alleging that the facility imports finished petroleum products, reports ITREALMS.
Speaking during an extensive media briefing at the Lekki refinery on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, David Bird, explained that what some observers mistook for finished fuel imports are actually intermediate feedstocks.
Processing these semi-processed materials is a standard global practice used by modern merchant refineries to optimize production and ensure high-quality output.
Bird emphasized that a refinery of this scale has no commercial interest in importing finished products. Instead, it imports intermediate components like naphtha, straight-run gas oil, vacuum gas oil (VGO), and reformate to maximize the utilization of its specialized processing units.
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Unlike older, conventional refineries that often process a single type of crude from a direct pipeline, the Dangote Refinery operates on a European and Asian merchant model.
This flexible design allows the facility to integrate advanced refining, blending, and trading systems designed to meet modern environmental benchmarks.
This model allows the refinery to source diverse crude grades largely by sea, maximizing the utilization of all units inside the facility. By processing different crudes and intermediate feedstocks, the refinery can upgrade every molecule into high-value, clean fuels and petrochemicals rather than relying on a single crude stream.
Bird reaffirmed that the refinery produces only fully refined, market-ready products that meet the most stringent international environmental and health standards.
This model allows the refinery to source diverse crude grades largely by sea, maximizing the utilization of all units inside the facility. By processing different crudes and intermediate feedstocks, the refinery can upgrade every molecule into high-value, clean fuels and petrochemicals rather than relying on a single crude stream.
Bird reaffirmed that the refinery produces only fully refined, market-ready products that meet the most stringent international environmental and health standards.
The facility is currently supplying gasoline that is lead-free and MMT-free with 50 parts per million (ppm) sulfur, while its diesel meets ultra-low sulfur specifications.
These high standards are designed to reduce vehicle emissions, protect engine longevity, and safeguard public health. Bird noted that these products are already being exported to international markets, including New York and Dubai, proving their global competitiveness and quality.
During the session, journalists were shown physical samples of both intermediate feedstocks and the premium finished products. Bird stressed that semi-finished fuels are unsuitable for vehicles and are never released into the Nigerian market.
These high standards are designed to reduce vehicle emissions, protect engine longevity, and safeguard public health. Bird noted that these products are already being exported to international markets, including New York and Dubai, proving their global competitiveness and quality.
During the session, journalists were shown physical samples of both intermediate feedstocks and the premium finished products. Bird stressed that semi-finished fuels are unsuitable for vehicles and are never released into the Nigerian market.
He urged the media to help educate the public on the clear distinction between refinery feedstocks and finished fuel.
Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, urged the press to be precise in their terminology.
He warned that inaccurate reporting creates unnecessary panic and undermines a project that has already begun stabilizing the naira and easing national fuel scarcity.
Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, urged the press to be precise in their terminology.
He warned that inaccurate reporting creates unnecessary panic and undermines a project that has already begun stabilizing the naira and easing national fuel scarcity.
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