Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed reports claiming that it has shut down operations for maintenance, describing the information as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic in the fuel market. The refinery said production remains ongoing, stable, and uninterrupted, assuring Nigerians of steady petrol supply in the country.
In a statement released on Monday, the Lagos-based refinery clarified that it is fully operational and producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in large volumes. According to the refinery, on January 4, it produced about 50 million litres of PMS and successfully evacuated 48 million litres through its gantry for distribution across the country.
The management explained that current petrol stock levels at the refinery are sufficient to cover more than 20 days of national consumption. This, it said, clearly puts to rest any fear of scarcity or supply disruption in the downstream petroleum market.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery stated that it continues to operate at scale and has the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of petrol daily throughout January and February. It noted that actual supply volumes depend mainly on market demand from marketers and bulk buyers, not on production challenges.
Addressing the claims of shutdown due to maintenance, the refinery explained that routine maintenance activities on some units are part of normal operations in large-scale refineries worldwide. It stressed that such maintenance does not lead to a halt in overall production due to the refinery’s advanced and integrated design. Specifically, it said maintenance work on units such as the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit does not affect output.
The refinery added that other critical units, including the Naphtha Hydrotreater, Continuous Catalytic Regeneration (CCR) Reformer, and Hydrocracker, remain fully operational. These units are responsible for producing petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and Jet A-1 fuel, ensuring continuous supply to the Nigerian market.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery further disclosed that it has consistently made petrol available to the domestic market in line with demand trends. From December 16, 2025, to date, the refinery said it has loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily from its gantry. These figures, it noted, are verifiable through depot loading records maintained by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which monitors product movement and supply in the country.
The refinery also reaffirmed its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for PMS, stating that the price remains available to all marketers, bulk buyers, and institutional consumers. It encouraged petrol station owners, transport companies, manufacturers, and other large-scale users to patronise locally refined petroleum products instead of imported fuel.
According to the refinery, sourcing petrol locally at N699 per litre gives marketers the opportunity to sell at more affordable pump prices, reduce pressure on foreign exchange, and contribute to market stability. It added that local refining supports Nigeria’s economic recovery, strengthens energy security, and reduces the country’s dependence on fuel imports.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery also accused some fuel importers of spreading false information to justify recent increases in petrol pump prices. It said such actions are against national interest and place unnecessary hardship on Nigerians who are already grappling with high living costs.
The refinery warned that without domestic refining capacity, petrol prices in a post-subsidy environment could rise as high as N1,400 per litre. It said its operations have played a stabilising role in the downstream petroleum sector by moderating prices and improving supply reliability.
According to the statement, recent price movements in the fuel market highlight the importance of local refining. The refinery argued that without its presence, fuel importers would have continued to dictate prices with little restraint, leading to higher costs for consumers and greater pressure on the economy.
Reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it will continue to supply high-quality petroleum products, maintain steady availability, and support national economic growth. The company urged stakeholders, marketers, and the general public to disregard misinformation and rely only on verified and credible sources for updates on refinery operations and fuel supply.
Industry observers say the refinery’s clarification is important in calming the market, especially as petrol pricing and availability remain sensitive issues for Nigerians. With its large production capacity, the Dangote Refinery is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector in the months ahead.
