The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced round-the-clock loading operations as it strengthens efforts to sustain a daily supply of more than 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across Nigeria. This marks a major shift for Africa’s largest refinery, which was originally designed for daytime evacuation.
The Managing Director, David Bird, explained that the expansion to night-time loading ensures that rising production is matched by efficient offtake, reducing delays and supporting uninterrupted supply. Bird confirmed that the refinery has consistently delivered 50 million litres daily, occasionally exceeding 52 million litres, with over a thousand trucks processed through the gantry during peak periods.
He emphasised the refinery’s operational flexibility, noting that individual units can undergo planned maintenance without disrupting overall output. “We have built flexibility into our system so that finished product demand is always met,” Bird said, highlighting the resilience of the refinery’s multiple production routes, including crude processing, intermediate feedstocks, and blending components.
Bird linked stable fuel supply to broader economic benefits, noting that abundance and lower prices stimulate demand and support economic activity. The refinery’s ability to produce Euro-5 compliant petrol and diesel positions Nigeria as a supplier of high-quality fuels, ending the region’s reliance on substandard imports.
He also underscored the importance of domestic refining for insulating Nigeria from global crude and product price volatility. While the refinery retains export capacity, the domestic market remains the top priority to ensure fuel security, stabilise pump prices, and support nationwide economic activity.
With the transition to 24-hour operations, Dangote Petroleum Refinery demonstrates a major milestone in transforming Nigeria’s fuel market from scarcity to abundance while delivering cleaner, globally competitive products.
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