TDThe Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reached its full operational capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, a landmark achievement that cements Nigeria’s place on the global energy map.
As the largest single-train refining facility in the world, the refinery is now capable of producing up to 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily.
It drastically reduces Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and reshaping the country’s economic trajectory.
Expansion Plans Already Underway
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has made clear that this milestone is only the beginning.
He has launched an ambitious $12 billion expansion project to scale refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.
Beyond crude refining, the expansion will diversify output into petrochemicals, including:
- 2.4 million tons of polypropylene annually — vital for packaging, textiles, and automotive industries
- 400,000 metric tons of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) — a key ingredient in detergent production
Construction work has already commenced, signaling a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s industrialization drive.
Reactions from Industry Leaders
The achievement has sparked widespread acclaim across business and policy circles.
Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, congratulated Dangote on the feat.
Praising the milestone, he posted on social media:
“I congratulate my friend and brother, Aliko Dangote, on the remarkable achievement of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaching its full 650,000 barrels per day capacity.
“More importantly, it is transformational for Nigeria and Africa.
“Supplying up to 75 million litres of PMS daily changes our energy narrative and conserves foreign exchange.
“With domestic refining now firmly underway after decades of reliance on imports, pressure on the foreign exchange market should ease significantly.
“I am optimistic that the naira will strengthen meaningfully, and trading below ₦1,000/$1 before year-end is increasingly within reach.
“Congratulations once again, my brother. Nigeria is proud of you.”
Other prominent voices have echoed similar sentiments:
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, called the refinery “a game-changer for Africa’s industrialization and energy independence.”
Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPC Limited, emphasized that the refinery’s output will drastically reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, stabilizing supply chains and boosting local employment.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, highlighted the project as proof that Africa can deliver world-class infrastructure capable of reshaping global trade dynamics.
National and Regional Impact
The refinery’s full operation is expected to deliver transformative benefits:
- Economic relief: A sharp reduction in Nigeria’s fuel import bill, saving billions in foreign exchange.
- Currency stability: Easing demand for dollars, strengthening the naira, and stabilizing the forex market.
- Job creation: Thousands of direct and indirect jobs across refining, logistics, and petrochemicals.
- Regional leadership: Positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petroleum products, supplying West Africa and beyond.
This milestone underscores Nigeria’s march toward energy independence and industrial transformation, with the Dangote Refinery standing as a beacon of African ambition and resilience.
