The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has debunked widespread rumours alleging an operational shutdown, assuring Nigerians that it continues to supply over 40 million litres of petrol daily alongside steady diesel deliveries.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, dismissed claims that the refinery had suspended truck loading or halted production, describing the reports as “misinformation driven by selfish interests.”
“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities,” Chiejina stated.
The management explained that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO)—a byproduct of the refining process—is part of normal operations and does not indicate any disruption. Large parcel sales, it said, sometimes result in public misunderstanding, especially when fuel oil tenders are publicised.
The facility, described as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, continues to utilise advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities, the company stressed, are standard practice and have no impact on national fuel supply levels.
Reacting to speculation about looming fuel shortages and possible price hikes, the refinery issued a public challenge to those spreading the rumours.
“We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel daily for the next 90 days,” the statement read, in what appeared to be a direct rebuttal to claims of production constraints.
The management accused certain “unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals” of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s push for energy independence by spreading falsehoods. It alleged that some of these actors were connected to the importation of substandard fuels, using fabricated shortages as a pretext to push foreign products into the domestic market.
The Dangote Refinery, commissioned to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products, has been a strategic asset in stabilising local supply since it began operations. Analysts note that the facility’s capacity to produce large daily volumes of petrol and diesel has been crucial in cushioning the market from foreign exchange pressures and reducing the nation’s import bill.
With PMS demand in Nigeria averaging around 50–55 million litres daily, the refinery’s contribution of over 40 million litres covers a significant portion of national needs. Industry experts believe that sustained output from Dangote could, over time, help stabilise pump prices and ensure consistent supply across the country.
The company urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from credible sources and to disregard unsubstantiated reports that could cause unnecessary panic in the market.
“Our commitment to Nigeria’s energy security remains firm. We will continue to operate transparently and responsibly, delivering quality products to meet the nation’s needs,” the statement concluded.
Energy analysts have praised Dangote’s swift response, noting that proactive communication is vital in preventing market speculation from triggering artificial scarcity. However, they also warned that the recurring spread of such rumours points to deep-rooted market rivalries and vested interests threatened by the refinery’s domestic dominance.
For consumers, the refinery’s assurance comes as a relief amid lingering concerns over fuel price volatility, forex fluctuations, and seasonal demand spikes.