Crude oil deliveries from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to Dangote Petroleum Refinery doubled in March, marking a significant boost for domestic fuel supply, though the volumes remain below the refinery’s optimal capacity.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, disclosed the development during a visit by Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, to the Ibeju-Lekki industrial complex on Tuesday.
According to Dangote, NNPC supplied 10 cargoes last month, six purchased in naira and four in dollars.
“Last month, they gave us six cargoes for naira and four cargoes for dollars,” Dangote said, noting that the refinery still requires 19 cargoes for peak operations.
To bridge the gap, Dangote Refinery continued to source crude from the United States and other African producers.
He also raised concerns about international oil companies’ reluctance to sell directly to the refinery, citing that crude is often sold to traders, forcing the refinery to repurchase at higher costs, which could affect fuel prices and broader economic stability.
Dangote emphasised that the refinery is seeking increased access to domestically priced crude under local currency arrangements, aiming to moderate fuel costs and strengthen energy and food security across Africa.
Dangote also revealed that the company has intensified exports of urea fertiliser and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to African markets affected by supply disruptions.
Leveraging the refinery’s 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, Dangote said about 17 cargoes of petrol have been shipped to countries across West, Central, and East Africa to stabilise supply.
“What I can do is assure Nigerians … and most of West Africa, Central Africa, and East Africa, we have the capacity to supply them,” he said.
Highlighting Dangote Industries’ wider impact, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed said the United Nations recognises the company’s role, particularly through Dangote Fertiliser Limited, in addressing Africa’s growing food security challenges.
She stressed the need for stronger global partnerships to scale its operations and support agricultural productivity.
“The UN’s job here is to amplify and put visibility on the possibilities of mitigating a food security crisis, and this is one of them,” Mohammed said.
The NNPC’s increase in crude deliveries is seen as a step toward improving domestic fuel availability, though Dangote noted that achieving full refinery operations will require continued support, strategic partnerships, and access to sufficient feedstock.
