Dangote Says Refinery Ended 50 Years Of Fuel Queues

Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, says Nigeria’s five-decade-long struggle with fuel scarcity has ended since his refinery began producing petrol a year ago.

Speaking at an event marking the first anniversary of petrol production from the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, Dangote said queues that began in 1975 have gradually disappeared since the refinery came on stream on September 3, 2024.

He described the refinery as a bold gamble that many industry experts, investors and government officials had warned against, arguing that such ventures were usually reserved for sovereign states. Dangote admitted the risk was enormous, noting that a failure would have cost him all his assets.

Despite the challenges, he said the refinery has stabilised petrol supply, pushing down pump prices from nearly N1,100 per litre before production to about N841 in Abuja, the Southwest and some parts of the South-South. He added that with the rollout of 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, the price reduction will soon reflect nationwide.

Between June and early September 2025, the refinery exported over 1.1 billion litres of petrol, underscoring its ability to meet local demand and generate foreign exchange, according to Dangote.

On employment, he said the refinery and its CNG truck project will create thousands of jobs, including at least 24,000 for drivers, mechanics, fleet managers and other professionals. Drivers, he noted, earn triple the minimum wage and receive health insurance, life insurance and pensions.

Dangote also called for policies to protect local industries from cheap imports, warning that reliance on foreign goods weakens Nigeria’s economy. He urged the National Assembly to back the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy through legislation.

He said industrialisation remains the key to Africa’s prosperity. “Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty,” Dangote said.