President and Chief Executive of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has announced that Nigeria’s decades-long battle with fuel queues is finally over.
The statement came during a conference marking the first anniversary of petrol production at the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery.
Dangote reflected on the persistent fuel shortages that Nigerians have endured since 1975, stressing that the launch of the refinery on 3rd September 2024 marked a turning point.
“We have been battling fuel queues since 1975, but today Nigerians are witnessing a new era,” he said.
Acknowledging the numerous hurdles the refinery faced, Dangote reaffirmed the company’s dedication to Nigeria and Africa.
“The journey has been challenging because we sought to transform the downstream sector in Nigeria. Some believed we were taking food from their tables, which simply isn’t true. What we have done is to make our country and continent proud. Previously, only two African countries were not importing petrol, but regrettably, they have since resumed imports. This is detrimental to Africa,” he added.
Reflecting on the risks of establishing the refinery, Dangote revealed that he faced repeated warnings from industry experts, investors, and government officials both locally and abroad. “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, underscoring the stakes involved.
Despite economic pressures and skepticism, the refinery has successfully reduced petrol prices from nearly N1,100 before production to N841 in the Southwest, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara. With the gradual deployment of CNG-powered trucks, Dangote expects these reductions to reach the entire country soon.
The refinery is not only meeting domestic demand but also generating foreign exchange through exports. Dangote revealed that between June and the first week of September 2025, the facility exported over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), highlighting its dual role in serving local needs and boosting foreign earnings.
On job creation, Dangote stressed that the refinery aims to expand employment opportunities rather than reduce them.
The introduction of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks is projected to create at least 24,000 jobs nationwide. “We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more. The CNG trucks will not be operated by robots. Our employees earn salaries three times the minimum wage. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance covering themselves, their spouses, and up to four children, as well as a lifelong pension. We are not only employing drivers but also mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals to support the CNG fleet.”
Dangote also clarified that while the company respects trade unions, joining one is a personal decision for each driver.
Reiterating his commitment to industrialisation, Dangote described it as essential for Nigeria and Africa’s development.
He urged protection for local industries and cautioned against the flooding of cheap foreign goods, citing the collapse of Nigeria’s once-thriving textile sector as a warning.
“Other nations were not industrialised by outsiders. We must build and industrialise our own economies. Without this, how can others invest? That is why I believe the National Assembly should enact legislation to support the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy. My goal is to see Africa prosper, as we have the fastest-growing population in the world. Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty. Many individuals with greater financial resources than myself want to invest, but the challenges we face discourage them. Numerous sectors are still in urgent need of industrialisation,” he said.
