Dangote Refinery Dismisses Shutdown Claims as Fake News

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rejected reports that it has shut down operations, branding the claims as fake news allegedly sponsored by fuel importers seeking to undermine local refining.

In a statement on Monday, the refinery said it remains fully operational, sustaining steady production and its existing pricing regime introduced ahead of the yuletide period.

The company described reports of a shutdown for maintenance as false and misleading, stating that it currently has the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily through January and February, subject only to market demand.

According to the refinery, it produced 50 million litres of PMS on January 4 and evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry, with current stock levels sufficient to cover more than 20 days of national consumption.

It clarified that while routine maintenance is ongoing on specific units such as the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC), overall production remains unaffected due to the facility’s integrated design. Key units including the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer and Hydrocracker are fully operational, producing PMS, diesel and Jet A-1.

Dangote Refinery also confirmed sustained domestic supply, noting that between December 16, 2025 and date, it has loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily—figures verifiable through records of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Reaffirming its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for PMS, the refinery urged marketers and bulk consumers to patronise locally refined fuel, citing its affordability, reliability and economic benefits.

The company accused fuel importers of pushing false narratives to justify unjustified increases in pump prices, warning that such actions hurt Nigerians and undermine national interest. It added that without domestic refining, petrol prices could rise to as high as N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment.

Dangote Refinery reiterated its commitment to energy security, market stability and economic growth, urging the public to ignore misinformation and rely on verified sources.