Dangote Refinery eases fuel supply pressure, says NNPC boss
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a crucial buffer for Nigeria’s energy supply, particularly as state-owned refineries continue to struggle with output and efficiency.
Ojulari made the remarks during a fireside discussion titled Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026 held on Wednesday in Abuja. He said the presence of a functioning local refinery had helped NNPC cope with mounting pressure to sustain fuel availability across the country.
According to him, the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery has provided significant relief to the domestic fuel market, reducing supply risks at a time when government-owned refineries are yet to operate at optimal capacity.
Ojulari urged Nigerians to acknowledge the refinery’s contribution to national energy stability, regardless of differing opinions about its owner. His comments drew applause from participants at the summit.
He further noted that the local ownership of the refinery is an added advantage for Nigeria’s energy security, stressing that its operations within the country have created opportunities that would not exist if the facility were foreign-owned.
While admitting that the refinery is not yet able to meet the nation’s total fuel demand, Ojulari said it has nonetheless reduced vulnerabilities in the supply chain and offered NNPC much-needed flexibility. He added that NNPC also holds an equity stake in the refinery.
The NNPC boss acknowledged that relations between the national oil company and the Dangote Group had previously been strained, marked by disagreements over crude supply, regulatory issues and pricing concerns.
However, he said the current leadership of NNPC has shifted towards a more collaborative approach, focusing on partnership rather than conflict. Ojulari disclosed that NNPC has since engaged directly with the Dangote Group to establish a framework for cooperation in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.
