Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, confidently stated that the products refined at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the world’s largest single-train refinery, are of higher quality than imported equivalents and adhere to international standards.
Dangote made these remarks following the House leadership’s decision to test various diesel products, including Dangote’s diesel, in the refinery’s state-of-the-art laboratory. During a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex by the House of Representatives members, Speaker Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and other members praised the company’s significant investments and contributions to Nigeria’s development after observing the testing of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) from two petrol stations alongside Dangote’s diesel.
The diesel samples, sourced from two well-known filling stations near Eleko junction along the Lekki Epe Expressway by the honourable members, were tested under the supervision of Hon. Ikeagwunon Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream, and Hon. Okojie Odianosen, Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream.
Lab results revealed that Dangote’s diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm (parts per million), while the other two samples had sulphur levels exceeding 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm, respectively.
Dangote highlighted that these results debunked claims by Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, who had asserted that imported diesel was superior to domestically refined products. Ahmed had claimed that the Dangote refinery and other modular refineries produced diesel with sulphur content between 650 and 1200 ppm, a statement widely criticized by Nigerians as favoring imported products.
Dangote challenged the regulator to compare the quality of his refinery’s products with imported ones, advocating for an impartial assessment to determine what best serves Nigerians. He emphasized the refinery’s transparency and openness to product testing, asserting that their diesel meets and will soon exceed Euro V standards.
Supporting Dangote’s claims, Devakumar Edwin, VP of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, mentioned recent actions by European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, which have banned high-sulphur diesel exports to West Africa due to health concerns. Edwin noted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery processes various crude types to Euro V specifications and adheres to US EPA, European, DPR, and ARDA standards.
Products from the $20 billion refinery meet international standards and can satisfy 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel, with surplus available for export.
Olakunle Alake, VP of Dangote Group, expressed disappointment over monopoly accusations, stressing the existence of multiple players in the industry, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas, concerned about the controversy over the quality of imported refined products, announced the Green Chamber’s plan to establish a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter. He praised the infrastructure at the Dangote Oil Refinery as a significant asset for Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency and described the refinery as a pivotal player in addressing global energy security and sustainability concerns.
Abbas lauded the refinery’s state-of-the-art technology and commended Dangote for his commitment to excellence despite numerous challenges. He acknowledged the regulatory, supply, and economic hurdles faced during the refinery’s construction and praised the unwavering dedication to achieving success in the industry.
