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President/Chief Executive of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has declared that Nigeria’s decades-long nightmare of fuel queues has ended since his 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery began producing petrol last year.
He made the declaration at the media briefing to mark the plant’s first anniversary.
He said: “We have been battling fuel queues since 1975, but today Nigerians are witnessing a new era.
Dangote explained that the project, which many industry experts said was too big for private investors, carried enormous risks. “The decision to build the refinery was not easy. If it had gone wrong, lenders would have taken our assets. But we believed in Nigeria and Africa,” he added.
Since production began on September 3, 2024, pump prices have dropped from nearly N1,100 to N841 in several states, with expectations of nationwide relief as 4,000 CNG-powered trucks begin rollout. The trucks, he said, will also create at least 24,000 jobs across Nigeria.
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“We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance, and pensions. We are not only employing drivers but also mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals to support the CNG fleet,” he added.
Between June and early September 2025, the refinery exported over 1.1 billion litres of petrol, boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings while meeting domestic demand.
Dangote also stressed that Africa’s economic survival lies in industrialisation, not importation. “Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty. Other nations were not industrialised by outsiders—we must build and industrialise our own economies,” he said, urging the National Assembly to back a “Nigeria First” policy.
Dangote said the refinery plans to expand to 700,000 barrels per day, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s refining hub and a global leader in fertiliser and polypropylene production.
“We are fully committed to supporting the government in adding value, creating jobs, and building a stronger economy,” Dangote affirmed.
