Dangote Refinery has attained a record 33 million litres per day for its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) production.
The refinery also announced that it has reached a crude refining capacity of 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) since operations began last year.
The milestone was disclosed at the refinery’s control room on Tuesday, during a visit by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) directors, who were briefed on the refinery’s operations and recent achievements.
It is widely believed that Nigeria’s daily domestic consumption of PMS is around 33 million litres, meaning the refinery is now positioned to meet the country’s fuel demand from local production.
The NESG delegation also learned that the refinery’s Mild Hydrocracking Unit (MHC) has reached 120% efficiency, while the Continuous Catalytic Reforming Unit (CCRU) has achieved 90% performance. The MHC is responsible for optimizing fuel yield, while the CCRU processes heavy naphtha from crude oil into liquid products.
Further reinforcing its position as a global refining powerhouse, Dangote Refinery has exported two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, a move that analysts say signals Nigeria’s emergence as a net exporter of refined petroleum products after decades of dependence on imports.
NESG Chairman, Niyi Yusuf, who led the delegation, said the private sector is important in driving investments in necessary to achieve Nigeria’s economic goal.
“To achieve a $1 trillion economy, much of that must come from domestic investments. I joked during the bus ride that while others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country. This refinery, fertiliser plant, petrochemical complex, and supporting infrastructure are monumental,” he said.
“My hope is that God grants you the strength, courage, and health to realise your ambitions and that in your lifetime, a new Nigeria will emerge.”
Yusuf stressed that strong local industries are key to Nigeria’s industrialization, adding that NESG will continue to advocate for a business-friendly investment climate to encourage entrepreneurship, boost development, and tackle economic challenges such as food insecurity and insecurity.
He further noted that Nigeria’s over-reliance on imports has hindered industrial growth and must be reversed to ensure national economic stability.
“It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, is still dependent on imports to feed its citizens.”
The NESG delegation also commended Aliko Dangote for his vision and investment in the $20 billion refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world.
“The NESG is grateful, and I believe the nation is as well. This refinery represents the audacity of courage. It takes immense effort to do what you’ve done and still be standing and smiling. Thank you for inspiring us and showing that nothing is impossible. You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter,” Yusuf said.
Following a tour of the refinery’s control units, fertiliser plant, and laboratory facilities, the NESG delegation acknowledged the sophistication of technology deployed and the expertise of young Nigerian engineers managing operations.
Responding to the commendations, Aliko Dangote reiterated that the private sector plays a critical role in national development, adding that Nigeria must actively protect and support local industries to achieve long-term economic stability.
“The concept of a free market should not be used as a pretext for continued import dependence. Both developed and developing nations, including the USA and China, actively protect their domestic industries to safeguard jobs and promote self-sufficiency.”
He further highlighted Benin Republic’s restriction on cement imports, despite its proximity to Nigeria, as an example of a deliberate policy to support local production.
“The President is a personal friend, and my Ibese plant is just 28km from Benin, yet they refuse to allow imports to protect their local industries, most of which are grinding plants,” he remarked.
With Nigeria’s fuel production now reaching full capacity, industry experts believe the Dangote Refinery’s success could redefine the nation’s economic landscape, positioning it as a key player in the global energy market.
