By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has categorically dismissed reports suggesting it has shut down operations for maintenance this January, describing the claims as “false, misleading, and designed to create panic” in the energy market.
In a statement released on Monday, the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery clarified that its production remains uninterrupted and robust, with enough stock to meet national demand for the foreseeable future.
The refinery’s management provided specific production data to counter the narrative of a shutdown. According to the statement, the facility currently retains the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily through January and February.
“On January 4 alone, the refinery produced 50 million litres of PMS and successfully evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry,” the statement read. “Current stock levels are sufficient to cover over 20 days of national consumption, effectively dispelling any concerns regarding supply shortages.” It added.
Addressing reports of “turnaround maintenance,” the refinery explained that its “integrated and sophisticated design” allows for routine maintenance on specific units without halting overall production.
While certain components like the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) may undergo scheduled checks, other critical units—including the Naphtha Hydrotreater and the Hydrocracker—remain fully operational. This ensures a steady output of petrol, diesel (AGO), and aviation fuel (Jet A-1).
The refinery warned that the misinformation was likely orchestrated by importers and “middlemen” looking to justify price hikes at the pump. Over the weekend, reports indicated that some private depots had already increased prices to as high as N800 per litre following the shutdown rumors.
The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to price stability, maintaining its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre. Officials noted that without local production, petrol prices in Nigeria’s post-subsidy environment could skyrocket to as much as N1,400 per litre.
Industry analysts view the refinery’s response as a critical move to stabilize the downstream sector. By sourcing petrol locally at the N699 rate, marketers are positioned to offer relief to consumers while conserving foreign exchange and supporting Nigeria’s path toward energy independence.
