NNPCL Group CEO Bayo Ojulari has said Nigerians should be grateful for the Dangote Refinery, noting that its operations have eased pressure on the country’s fuel supply system despite recent price increases.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Refinery as a major relief to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, urging Nigerians to appreciate its impact. Ojulari made the remarks on Wednesday at the International Energy Summit 2026 in Abuja, where he said the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility has helped cushion the country against fuel supply disruptions.
Ojulari explained that the current NNPCL management has chosen collaboration over confrontation in its dealings with the privately owned refinery, stressing that the partnership is deliberate. While acknowledging that the Dangote Refinery is yet to fully meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand, he said its operations have provided critical support to the fuel supply chain. “Thank God for Dangote Refinery. Thank God. Whether you love Dangote or you hate him, say whatever you want to say, Nigerians should thank God for Dangote,” he said, to loud applause from participants.
He added that the refinery’s local ownership is an advantage for the country and noted NNPCL’s stake in the facility. “Yes, it may not meet our full needs, but it gives us a breathing space. And luckily, we are shareholders in that refinery as well,” Ojulari said, emphasising that cooperation remains central to NNPCL’s strategy. “Our strategy is to collaborate with the Dangote Refinery and maximise the value delivered to Nigerians.” His comments come amid a recent nationwide increase in fuel prices following a rise in ex-depot prices by Dangote Refinery and other depot owners.