Dangote refinery petrol ends Nigeria’s decades of fuel queues, cuts prices, creates jobs, and boosts exports one year after operations began

Speaking at a conference marking the refinery’s first anniversary, Dangote said Nigerians had endured queues at filling stations since 1975, but the situation began to ease from 3rd September 2024 when the 650,000 barrels-per-day plant started producing petrol.

Also read: Dangote Rolls Out CNG Fuel Trucks, Slashes Prices

“We have been battling fuel queues since 1975, but today Nigerians are witnessing a new era,” Dangote declared.

The billionaire businessman admitted that the project carried enormous risk, with experts warning that only sovereign nations could take on such large-scale ventures. He revealed that had the refinery failed, lenders would have seized his assets.

“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 said.

Despite opposition and economic headwinds, Dangote noted that the refinery had slashed petrol prices from nearly N1,100 before operations began to N841 in parts of the country. He predicted that the deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks would further stabilise prices nationwide.

Between June and early September 2025, the facility exported over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, underscoring its dual role in meeting domestic demand and generating foreign exchange.

Highlighting the project’s job-creation capacity, Dangote said the CNG truck rollout alone would generate 24,000 jobs across Nigeria. He stressed that employees and drivers enjoy robust welfare packages, including health insurance, life cover, and pensions.

He also reiterated his stance on industrialisation as the key to Africa’s prosperity, urging lawmakers to legislate in support of the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy. “Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty,” he warned.

Looking ahead, Dangote announced plans to expand refinery capacity to 700,000 barrels per day in its second year of operation. He added that Nigeria is on track to become Africa’s refining hub, a major exporter of polypropylene, and a global leader in fertiliser production.

Also read: Dangote Refinery Rejects Union Suppression Claims, Backs Workers’ Rights

“Nigeria has now become the refining hub of Africa. We are fully committed to supporting the government in adding value, creating jobs, and building a stronger economy,” he concluded.