By Ayomide Otitoju
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed reports suggesting it is shutting down for maintenance, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the refinery said its operations remain ongoing, stable, and uninterrupted, with sufficient capacity to meet domestic fuel demand.
According to the refinery, it is currently able to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily through January and February, subject to market demand. It disclosed that on January 4, it produced 50 million litres of PMS and evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry, adding that existing stock levels are sufficient to cover more than 20 days of national consumption.
The company explained that routine maintenance on specific units, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC), does not disrupt overall production due to the refinery’s integrated and advanced design. It added that other key units—such as the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer, and Hydrocracker—remain fully operational, producing PMS, Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and Jet A-1 fuel.
The refinery further stated that it has consistently maintained adequate PMS supply for the domestic market, loading between 31 million and 48 million litres daily from its gantry since December 16, 2025, in line with prevailing demand. It noted that these volumes are verifiable through depot loading records maintained by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dangote Petroleum Refinery also reaffirmed its ex-gantry price of ₦699 per litre for PMS, which it said is available to all marketers and bulk consumers. It urged filling stations, institutional buyers, and large-scale users to patronise locally refined products, citing affordability, reliability, and quality advantages over imported fuel.
The refinery accused fuel importers of promoting misinformation to justify what it described as unjustified increases in petrol pump prices, warning that such actions undermine national interest and worsen economic hardship for Nigerians.
It argued that without domestic refining capacity, petrol prices could rise as high as ₦1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment, stressing that local production has played a critical role in stabilising the downstream petroleum market.
Reaffirming its commitment to energy security and market stability, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it would continue supplying high-quality petroleum products while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial development. It advised stakeholders and the public to disregard unverified reports and rely on credible sources for accurate information.
