Nigeria has started producing petrol at the Dangote refinery in Lagos, which can process 650,000 barrels of oil per day. This development comes as a relief to Nigerians facing severe petrol scarcity. The refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has completed test production and will begin selling petrol immediately. This milestone is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, saving billions in foreign exchange and boosting local availability.
According to sources, the refinery’s petrol output will have a significant impact on the fuel market both regionally and globally. Despite delays and challenges, including recent crude shortages, the refinery has gradually ramped up operations. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which has struggled to supply the local market due to financial strain, is expected to be the primary buyer of Dangote’s petrol.
This development is particularly crucial given ongoing fuel queues across the country, exacerbated by NNPC’s $6 billion debt to oil traders. The Dangote refinery’s petrol production is anticipated to ease these supply challenges, though questions remain about how NNPC will manage the purchasing process transparently.
