The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a critical stabilising force in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly as state-owned refineries continue to face operational constraints.
Ojulari made the remarks on Wednesday during a fireside chat titled “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja.
“Thank God for Dangote Refinery”
Addressing participants at the summit, Ojulari said the operational status of the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery has provided significant relief to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
“Thank God for Dangote Refinery. Thank God. Whether you love Dangote, you hate him—say whatever you want to say—Nigerians should thank God for Dangote,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
According to him, the refinery’s emergence comes at a crucial time when government-owned refineries are still working to achieve stable, large-scale production. As a result, its output has helped ease supply pressures and provided what he described as “breathing space” for the national oil company.
Although he acknowledged that the refinery does not yet meet the country’s total domestic fuel demand, Ojulari stressed that its contribution has reduced Nigeria’s exposure to supply disruptions.
“Yes, it may not meet our full needs, but it gives us breathing space. And luckily, we are shareholders in that refinery as well,” he added.
Strategic Importance Beyond Capacity
Beyond production volumes, Ojulari highlighted the strategic value of local ownership in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security framework.
“Thank God he’s a Nigerian. He’s not someone from another continent or another planet. Despite everything, that gave us an opportunity because we have a refinery that is working,” he said.
His comments signal a shift from the previously strained relationship between NNPCL and the Dangote Group. In earlier years, both parties publicly disagreed over crude supply arrangements, regulatory compliance, pricing structures, and concerns around market dominance.
However, Ojulari indicated that the current leadership at NNPCL has adopted a more collaborative approach. Rather than focusing on past tensions, he said the company is prioritising partnership in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“So we said, what’s the hurry? We have a refinery that is working. It’s not owned by NNPCL, but it’s a Nigerian refinery, built in Nigeria, working in Nigeria,” he stated.
Framework for Collaboration
Ojulari further disclosed that NNPCL has engaged directly with Aliko Dangote to establish a framework for structured cooperation.
“Our strategy is to collaborate with the Dangote Refinery and maximise the value delivered to Nigerians. That was our first strategy. We had a meeting with Alhaji Dangote, explained our institutional responsibilities, and we agreed on the pathway towards deeper collaboration while maintaining our role as NNPCL,” he explained.
Overall, the remarks underscore a pragmatic repositioning of the national oil company’s relationship with private refining capacity, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen domestic supply resilience and reduce long-standing vulnerabilities in its fuel distribution system.