By DAYO ADESULU
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has issued a strong rebuttal against recent reports suggesting that it imports finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria. The clarification comes after publications attributed to S&P Global, and subsequent newspaper adverts on Monday, February 9, 2026, appeared to misrepresent the refinery’s operations, potentially misleading both the public and investors about the country’s refining capabilities.
Dangote Clarifies Misconceptions at S&P Global Forum
During a forum organized by S&P Global in the United Kingdom, Dangote Refinery addressed the allegations directly, providing detailed clarification about its operations. Following this intervention, the forum acknowledged the refinery’s transformative role in reshaping the global refining landscape and its critical contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector.
In an official statement, Dangote Refinery emphasized that it does not import finished PMS—commonly known as gasoline or fuel—into the Nigerian market. The company highlighted that its operations focus solely on the importation of alternative feedstocks and blending components designed to optimise secondary-unit utilisation, rather than finished products.
Identifying the Source of Misinformation
The refinery disclosed that it has traced the individuals behind the misleading narrative and intends to expose their identities and motives at the appropriate time. According to the statement, “This propaganda is being promoted by unpatriotic and unscrupulous individuals who cannot afford to see Nigeria stop imports—individuals who helped to milk the NNPC refineries through fraudulent financing transactions for refinery repairs, which ended up being squandered. These individuals will soon have their day in court.”
Dangote Refinery described these claims as inaccurate and deceptive, warning that misrepresentation of intermediate products as finished fuel undermines public understanding and the progress made in domestic refining.
Understanding Dangote’s Refinery Operations
As a merchant refinery operating under global best practices, Dangote Petroleum Refinery imports only feedstocks and blending materials—not ready-to-use PMS. These imported materials, including high sulphur reformates, low-RON condensates, and high sulphur cracked gasoline, require further processing in the refinery before they meet regulated market specifications.
This approach aligns with international refining practices observed in Europe and Asia, where advanced facilities routinely adjust crude slates and blending strategies to enhance operational flexibility, maximise efficiency, and improve margins.
Misrepresenting these intermediate streams as finished fuel or gasoline, the refinery argued, distorts perceptions of Nigeria’s refining sector and erodes confidence in domestic fuel production capabilities.
Commitment to High-Quality Fuel for Nigeria
Dangote Refinery reiterated that the only gasoline supplied to the Nigerian market is its Euro 5-compliant PMS, which undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure it meets international standards. Since beginning operations, the refinery has significantly improved fuel quality in Nigeria, eliminating dependence on low-grade, high-sulphur gasoline that was historically imported into West Africa.
By providing high-quality PMS, Dangote Refinery has enhanced Nigeria’s energy security while supporting cleaner environmental practices and broader economic transformation.
Call for Responsible Reporting
The company called on industry stakeholders, including S&P Global, to maintain technical accuracy, balance, and responsibility in reporting. Given the influence of such publications on global perceptions of Nigeria’s refining industry, Dangote emphasized that misleading narratives could harm investor confidence and public understanding.
The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, promoting sustainability, and driving economic development through world-class refining operations that set new standards for the continent.
Dangote Refinery PMS import remains a sensitive topic in Nigeria’s energy sector, but the company’s statements underscore its clear position: no finished fuel is imported, and the domestic market receives high-quality, locally refined gasoline.
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