In a landmark announcement that promises to reshape Nigeria's energy landscape, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has declared an end to the perennial scourge of fuel queues in the country. He gave this assurance following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Friday, December 5, 2025.
An End to Decades of Fuel Scarcity
Dangote emphatically stated that the era of long lines at petrol stations, a problem dating back to 1972, is now permanently over. He attributed this historic shift to the local production capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has moved Nigeria away from dependence on imported fuel.
"For the first time, we are eliminating those queues, not through imports but by producing locally," Dangote told journalists. He confidently assured that petrol supply will remain stable throughout the upcoming Christmas season and beyond, noting that even during recent refinery maintenance, no queues materialized.
Massive Supply and Ambitious Expansion Plans
The industrialist revealed concrete figures to back his promise. The Dangote Refinery has informed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of its capacity to supply 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily, which exceeds the nation's current consumption needs.
Looking ahead, Dangote unveiled an aggressive expansion strategy. He announced that construction piling for a capacity increase will begin before the end of January 2026, with the goal of raising output to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028. This would surpass India's Reliance refinery to make the Dangote facility the largest single-train refinery in the world.
Furthermore, he disclosed plans to scale up urea fertilizer production to 12 million tonnes annually, aiming to position Nigeria as the global leader, ahead of Russia and Qatar, and supply the entire African continent.
Broader Economic Impact and Policy Support
Dangote highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of local refining. He pointed out that domestic manufacturers, especially in the plastics sector, will no longer need to spend up to $400 million yearly on importing feedstock. He also explained that the recent drop in petrol and diesel prices is due to increased competition and a significant reduction in smuggling.
The billionaire expressed strong support for key government policies, including the naira-for-crude initiative, which he called a patriotic move to strengthen the local economy. He acknowledged initial resistance from international oil companies but believes it will be resolved.
On investments, Dangote issued a clarion call to wealthy Nigerians, urging them to channel funds into industrial ventures rather than luxury consumption. "If you have money for a private jet, invest in industries and create jobs," he stated, warning that persistent import dependence is equivalent to "importing poverty and exporting jobs."
He concluded by describing his visit to President Tinubu as a routine courtesy call focused on discussing the economy and business environment, which he termed "very fruitful." With these assurances and plans, Dangote aims to cement his legacy as a pivotal figure in Nigeria's journey towards self-sufficiency and sustainable economic growth.
