Dangote Refinery has dismissed claims that it is importing finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, into Nigeria, insisting that its operations are fully based on local refining.
In a clarification issued amid ongoing debates in the downstream petroleum sector, the management of the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility stated that it does not import finished petroleum products for resale in the Nigerian market. The refinery emphasized that its petrol supply is produced domestically from crude oil processed at its Lagos-based plant.
The clarification follows recent industry discussions surrounding fuel pricing, import parity, and supply dynamics in Nigeria’s deregulated market. Speculation had emerged in some quarters suggesting that imported products were being blended or reintroduced into the supply chain under the refinery’s brand.
However, the company maintained that such claims are inaccurate and misleading. It reiterated that the refinery was established to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products, conserve foreign exchange, and enhance domestic energy security.
Industry observers note that the Dangote Refinery, regarded as Africa’s largest single-train refinery, commenced phased supply of petroleum products into the Nigerian market as part of efforts to stabilize fuel availability and moderate price volatility.
The refinery further stressed its commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with relevant government agencies, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The clarification comes at a time when competition between locally refined and imported petrol remains a key issue influencing market pricing and supply decisions among marketers.
Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its objective of strengthening local refining capacity and contributing to long-term stability in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
