Dangote Refinery Dismisses Shutdown Rumours, Reaffirms Steady Fuel Supply

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly denied claims suggesting a halt in operations, assuring Nigerians that the facility remains fully active and stable. In a statement issued on Friday, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina labelled recent shutdown reports as false and misleading, stressing that both production and truck loading activities continue without disruption.

According to Chiejina, “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities.” The statement comes amid speculation in some quarters about interruptions in the refinery’s output and deliveries.

The company further clarified that the occasional sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of its regular business model. The refinery often trades RCO in large parcels, explaining the recent public tender for fuel oil. This, management insists, should not be mistaken for operational issues.

FG Disburses Over ₦421 Billion in Conditional Cash Transfers — Sununu

Dangote Petroleum: Stability at the World’s Largest Single-Train Refinery

Management revealed that the refinery continues to supply more than 40 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) every day, along with steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel. This output, the company said, clearly disproves any notion of supply disruption.

Proudly describing itself as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the Dangote Group highlighted its reliance on advanced predictive and preventive maintenance measures. These systems, it explained, are designed to detect potential equipment issues early and prevent them from affecting production.

“Routine maintenance activities are standard practice and do not in any way impact our fuel supply commitments,” the statement read. Such measures, the company noted, are essential for the long-term sustainability of the facility’s operations and for meeting Nigeria’s fuel demands consistently.

The refinery also addressed concerns over possible shortages or price hikes that might arise from the alleged operational halt. In a strong rebuttal, management challenged those spreading the rumours to verify their claims through direct market action.

“We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days,” the statement declared, underscoring the refinery’s confidence in its capacity to deliver.

This invitation, the company suggested, would serve as a practical test of the falsehoods being circulated. If the refinery can fulfil such large daily volumes over three months, then the claims of shutdown or shortage would stand entirely discredited.

Beyond defending its operations, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery accused certain individuals and groups of deliberately spreading misinformation for personal gain. The statement described these actors as “unscrupulous and unpatriotic,” alleging that their ultimate goal is to undermine Nigeria’s drive for energy self-sufficiency.

The refinery linked such actions to vested interests in the continued importation of substandard petroleum products. By creating panic or doubt about the refinery’s stability, these interests might hope to justify renewed dependence on foreign fuel supplies, a move the company says would harm both the economy and consumers.

In urging Nigerians to disregard the rumours, the refinery emphasised the importance of unity and trust in the nation’s strategic infrastructure projects. The management stressed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is not only a commercial venture but also a crucial component of Nigeria’s long-term energy security.

Industry analysts note that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, since commencing operations, has played a significant role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products. The facility’s scale and advanced technology have allowed it to process large volumes of crude oil efficiently, supporting both domestic supply and potential exports.

The refinery’s continuous daily output of PMS and AGO suggests that the Nigerian fuel market should remain stable in the near term, barring unforeseen disruptions in crude oil supply or logistics. The company’s proactive communication strategy, seen in this swift rebuttal, may also help prevent panic buying and speculative price spikes.

While rumors of shutdowns are not uncommon in large-scale industrial operations, the Dangote Group’s public challenge to rumor-mongers is a bold move, effectively placing its operational credibility on the line. If it maintains the promised output levels in the coming months, it could not only silence critics but also strengthen public confidence in its role as a backbone of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.

In conclusion, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has made it clear that its operations are running at full capacity, dismissing claims of a shutdown as baseless. By supplying millions of litres of fuel daily and adhering to strict maintenance routines, the facility aims to keep Nigeria’s fuel market stable while countering attempts to derail its mission of national energy independence.