Dangote Refinery slams shutdown claims, blames fuel importers

Dangote Refinery slams shutdown claims, blames fuel importers

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed reports that it has shut down operations, describing the claims as fake news sponsored by fuel importers seeking to undermine local refining.

In a statement on Monday, the refinery said it remains fully operational, maintaining steady production and its existing pricing regime introduced ahead of the yuletide period.

Rejecting reports of an alleged shutdown for maintenance as false and misleading, the company said it currently has the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily through January and February, subject only to market demand.

“On January 4, the refinery produced 50 million litres of PMS and evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry. Current stock levels cover over 20 days of national consumption, effectively dispelling any concerns about supply,” the statement said.

The refinery clarified that while routine maintenance is ongoing on specific units such as the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC), overall production has not been affected due to the integrated design of its facilities.

It added that key units, including the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer and Hydrocracker, remain fully operational, producing PMS, diesel and Jet A-1.

Dangote Refinery also confirmed sustained domestic supply, noting that between December 16, 2025 and date, it has loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily. These figures, it said, are verifiable through records maintained by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Reaffirming its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for PMS, the refinery urged marketers and bulk consumers to patronise locally refined fuel, describing it as more affordable, reliable and beneficial to the economy than imports.

By sourcing PMS locally, the company said marketers could ease pump prices, stabilise the market, conserve foreign exchange and support Nigeria’s energy security.

Dangote Refinery accused fuel importers of pushing false narratives to justify what it described as unjustified increases in pump prices, warning that such actions hurt Nigerians and undermine national interest.

It stressed that without domestic refining, petrol prices could soar to as much as N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment, adding that its operations have played a critical role in stabilising the downstream market.

The refinery reiterated its commitment to energy security, market stability and economic growth, urging the public to ignore misinformation and rely on verified sources.

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