The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed reports alleging that it imported high-sulphur petrol into Nigeria, describing the claims as false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.
In a statement released on Friday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Dangote Group clarified that the cargo being circulated in media reports was not petrol but an intermediate feedstock — a raw material used in refining processes to produce finished petroleum products.
“As a world-scale complex refinery, Dangote possesses a range of crude oils and intermediate feedstock, a standard global practice aimed at optimising production and quality. The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol, and will be fully refined in our units to meet Nigerian and international quality standards,” the company explained.
The refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, emphasised that all its products meet regulatory specifications and global benchmarks. It said its export of petroleum products to the United States and Europe — among the world’s most strictly regulated fuel markets — reflects its adherence to quality assurance protocols.
Refinery defends operations amid public scrutiny
The clarification follows growing speculation about the quality of fuels produced or imported into Nigeria, especially as the $20 billion facility continues to ramp up operations. Since commissioning, the refinery has been projected to produce 650,000 barrels per day, positioning Nigeria to become a net exporter of refined products.
This is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny. In July 2024, Aliko Dangote refuted similar allegations from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, insisting that the refinery’s diesel is “80 percent superior” to imports, with sulphur levels well below international thresholds.
The company maintains that its refinery adheres to the highest operational standards and remains committed to supplying clean, high-quality fuels that meet both Nigerian and global environmental requirements.
