Startrend International Magazine For Your Latest News And Entertainment Gists
…Blasts Fuel Importers for Spreading Falsehoods and Exploiting Nigerians
BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
LAGOS, NIGERIA – Dangote Petroleum Refinery has categorically dismissed a viral report alleging that the refinery is shutting down for maintenance, describing the claim as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
In a statement released on Monday, January 5, 2026, the refinery clarified that its operations remain fully active, stable, and uninterrupted, with daily production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sustained at about 50 million litres.
The management further reaffirmed that the gantry price of PMS remains N699 per litre, noting that marketers lifted over 48 million litres of petrol from the facility on Sunday alone – clear evidence that production and distribution are proceeding as scheduled.
Dangote Refinery also accused fuel importers and their allies of orchestrating the false shutdown narrative in a bid to undermine local refining efforts, distort the market, and continue exploiting Nigerians through imported fuel.
The refinery urged the public to disregard the unfounded reports, stressing its commitment to steady supply, price stability, and supporting Nigeria’s energy security through consistent local production.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to operate at scale and retains the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily through January and February, subject solely to market demand”, the statement said.
It added that on January 4, 2026, the refinery produced 50 million litres of PMS and evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry.
“Current stock levels cover over 20 days of national consumption, effectively dispelling any concerns about supply.”
The refinery clarified that routine maintenance on specific units, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC), does not interrupt overall production, owing to the sophisticated and integrated design of its processing units.
Other critical units, such as the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer, and Hydrocracker, the refinery noted, remain fully operational, producing PMS, Diesel (Automotive Gas Oil), and Jet A-1.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery confirms that it has consistently maintained adequate PMS availability for the domestic market. From December 16, 2025 to date, the refinery has loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily from its gantry, in line with prevailing market demand.
“These volumes are fully verifiable against depot loading records maintained by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in the normal course of its regulatory responsibilities”, the statement said.
The refinery also reaffirmed its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for PMS, available to all marketers and bulk consumers while encouraging filling stations, large-scale users, and institutional buyers to patronise locally refined products, which are more affordable, reliable, and of high quality, rather than relying on imported alternatives.
“By sourcing PMS locally at N699 per litre, marketers are better positioned to pass on price relief to consumers, enhance market stability, conserve foreign exchange, and support Nigeria’s broader economic recovery and energy security objectives”, the refinery said.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery accused fuel importers of promoting false reports to justify recent, unwarranted increases in petrol pump prices, noting that such actions run counter to national interest and impose unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.
According to the refinery, without domestic refining, petrol prices could rise to as much as N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment, highlighting the stabilising role of local production.
“Recent price movements further highlight an uncomfortable reality. In the absence of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, fuel importers would continue to operate without restraint, with petrol prices potentially escalating to levels estimated at up to N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment.
“The refinery’s operations have therefore served as a critical stabilising force in the downstream petroleum market”, the statement added.
Reiterating its commitment to energy security and market stability, the refinery said it would continue supplying high-quality petroleum products, maintaining steady availability, and supporting Nigeria’s broader economic growth.
Stakeholders and the public were advised to disregard misinformation and rely on verified sources.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery will continue to act in the national interest by supplying high-quality, locally refined petroleum products while supporting Nigeria’s economic stability, energy independence, and industrial growth”, it concluded.
