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Dangote refinery stabilises Nigeria fuel supply amid NNPC refinery struggles
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Bayo Ojulari says local refinery offers breathing space for energy security
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NNPC signals shift from rivalry to collaboration with Dangote Group
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a major stabilising force in Nigeria’s energy sector, saying its operations have provided critical relief amid ongoing challenges with government-owned refineries.
Ojulari made the remarks on Wednesday during a fireside chat titled “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026 held in Abuja.
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He said the presence of a functional local refinery had eased pressure on NNPCL to sustain fuel supply continuity at a time when state-owned refineries were still struggling to operate at optimal capacity.
According to him, the Dangote Refinery has significantly reduced vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, urging Nigerians to acknowledge its impact regardless of personal opinions about its owner.
Ojulari said the refinery’s performance attracted applause from participants at the summit, noting that its contribution to fuel availability could not be ignored.
He said the commencement of operations at the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery came at a critical time for Nigeria, providing relief as legacy refineries continued to face operational challenges.
The NNPCL boss stressed that the refinery’s local ownership was equally important, describing it as a strategic advantage for Nigeria’s energy security.
Ojulari said having a Nigerian-owned refinery operating within the country offered flexibility and opportunity for collaboration in addressing domestic fuel needs.
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While acknowledging that the refinery is yet to meet Nigeria’s full fuel demand, he said its operations had nonetheless created a buffer that reduced supply pressures.
He also disclosed that NNPC holds equity in the Dangote Refinery, describing the partnership as beneficial to the national interest.
Ojulari’s comments signal a departure from years of strained relations between NNPC and the Dangote Group, which were previously marked by disputes over crude supply arrangements, regulatory approvals, pricing, and market dominance concerns.
Under previous leadership, disagreements between both parties often played out publicly, with Dangote accusing state institutions of frustrating the refinery project, while regulators maintained that standards and market rules must be enforced.
Ojulari said the current NNPC leadership had adopted a more pragmatic approach focused on cooperation rather than confrontation.
He said NNPC had engaged directly with Alhaji Aliko Dangote to establish a framework for collaboration in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.
According to him, discussions between both parties focused on maximising value delivery to Nigerians while maintaining NNPC’s institutional responsibilities.
Ojulari said the collaboration strategy reflects NNPC’s broader commitment to securing Nigeria’s energy future through partnerships that strengthen domestic capacity and reduce reliance on fuel imports.
