The Dangote Refinery, situated in Lagos, has reached a significant milestone by attaining a peak production of 33 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) per day. This achievement aligns with Nigeria’s current daily PMS consumption, indicating a substantial step towards self-sufficiency in fuel production.
During a recent visit by directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to the refinery’s control room, it was revealed that the facility has also achieved a processing capacity of 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This development underscores the refinery’s enhanced operational capabilities since its inauguration last year.
Further insights from the visit highlighted that the Mild Hydrocracking (MHC) unit has surpassed its expected performance, operating at 120% capacity. The Continuous Catalytic Reforming Unit (CCRU) has also achieved a commendable peak performance of 90%. The MHC unit is designed to optimise yield, while the CCRU processes heavy naphtha from crude oil into valuable liquid products.
Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has previously emphasised the refinery’s capacity to meet and exceed Nigeria’s fuel demands. In October 2024, he stated that with adequate crude supply, the refinery could produce over 30 million litres of petrol daily. At that time, the facility had 500 million litres of PMS in storage, sufficient to meet the country’s needs for over 12 days without additional imports or production.
The Dangote Refinery, inaugurated on 22 May 2023, is poised to be the largest single-train refinery globally, with an expected full operational capacity of processing about 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This capacity is anticipated to not only satisfy Nigeria’s domestic fuel requirements but also position the country as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
However, despite these advancements, Nigeria continues to import a significant portion of its fuel. Between September and December 2024, the country imported approximately 2.3 billion litres of PMS, underscoring ongoing challenges in achieving complete self-sufficiency in fuel production.
The Dangote Refinery’s recent accomplishments mark a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards energy independence. Continued efforts to optimise production and address supply chain challenges will be crucial in realising the nation’s goal of reducing reliance on imported fuel.