Dangote Promises Smooth Fuel Flow, Sparks Hope For End To Pump Price Hikes

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured Nigerians of an uninterrupted fuel supply throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities, highlighting that its daily production now exceeds the nation’s total consumption.

In a statement released on Saturday, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, revealed that the refinery currently produces over 45 million litres of petrol and 25 million litres of diesel each day.

“Our production capacity surpasses national demand. We are working closely with regulators and distributors to guarantee efficient delivery nationwide. Dangote is fully committed to powering Nigeria,” Chiejina said.

He added that the ramp-up in domestic refining has significantly reduced Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports, stabilising the naira by cutting foreign exchange outflows while boosting local currency inflows.

Supporting the Federal Government’s newly introduced tariff on imported petroleum products, Chiejina described the measure as critical to shielding local refineries from unfair foreign competition.

“Dumping destroys jobs and undermines industrial growth. Stronger enforcement is needed to prevent the importation of substandard petroleum products that threaten public safety and domestic producers,” he said.

Chiejina also praised President Bola Tinubu for implementing the tariff policy, calling it “a bold and visionary step” toward achieving energy independence and economic revitalisation. He warned that allowing cheap fuel imports from Asia and Europe could jeopardise domestic refineries and derail ongoing reforms.

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, further reassured Nigerians of stable fuel availability and pricing over the festive season. “Nigerians can look forward to a holiday season without long fuel queues,” he said, noting that the refinery’s output is designed for seamless nationwide distribution.

Since beginning petrol production in September 2024, the Dangote Refinery has helped bring down fuel costs across the country. Petrol, which was priced around ₦1,030 per litre a year ago, now averages between ₦841 and ₦851, while diesel has dropped from ₦1,700 to roughly ₦1,020 per litre. For context, petrol prices in neighbouring West African nations range from $1.20 to $2.00 per litre.