Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has declared that the diesel refined at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals meets international standards and is of superior quality compared to imported diesel.
His confidence follows a quality test comparison initiated by the House leadership, which included diesel products from other sources tested alongside Dangote’s diesel at the refinery’s advanced laboratory.
During a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex, members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, witnessed the testing of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) from two petrol stations against Dangote’s refinery diesel.
The visiting lawmakers praised Dangote’s substantial investments and contributions to Nigeria’s development.
The diesel samples, collected from two prominent filling stations near Eleko junction along the Lekki Epe Expressway, 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 tests revealed that Dangote’s diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm (parts per million), while the other samples had sulphur levels exceeding 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm, respectively.
Dangote emphasized that these findings debunked claims by Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, who had asserted that imported diesel was superior to locally refined products.
Ahmed had claimed that the Dangote refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content between 650 and 1200 ppm. Many Nigerians criticized this statement as an attempt to favor imported products over local ones.
Challenging the regulator to a quality comparison, Dangote stated, “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria.
It’s disheartening that instead of safeguarding the market, the regulator is undermining it. Our doors are open for the regulator to conduct tests on our products anytime; transparency is paramount to us.
It would be beneficial for the regulator to showcase its laboratory to the world so Nigerians can compare. Our interest is Nigeria first because if Nigeria doesn’t grow, we have limited capacity for growth.”
Dangote praised the Speaker and the House members for their initiative in testing diesel samples from various sources, underscoring the importance of credibility and transparency in such assessments.
He noted that while the NMDPRA allows local refiners to produce diesel with sulphur content up to 650 ppm until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS, Dangote’s diesel already has a significantly lower sulphur content.
He announced plans to achieve 10 ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard, next week. He pointed out that while imported diesel is capped at 50 ppm, the imported samples tested far exceeded this standard.
He further highlighted the dubious certifications accompanying high-sulphur diesel imports, causing health risks and financial losses for Nigerians.
“Dubious certifications often accompany the importation of high-sulphur diesel into Nigeria, causing both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians,” said Dangote.
“The best method to verify this is to purchase the product directly from filling stations where end-users obtain it.
I believe Farouk Ahmed speaks without sufficient knowledge of our refinery. We have successfully exported diesel and jet fuel to Europe and Asia without any complaints; in fact, we have received repeated orders, indicating satisfaction with our products.”
Supporting Dangote’s claims, Devakumar Edwin, VP of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, mentioned that European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have banned high-sulphur diesel exports to West Africa due to its carcinogenic effects.
Edwin added that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, designed to process a wide range of crudes, conforms to Euro V specifications and meets stringent emission standards from US EPA, European norms, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA).
Edwin highlighted that the $20 billion facility can meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel, with surplus for export. Olakunle Alake, the Group’s VP, expressed disappointment over monopoly accusations against the Dangote Group, noting the presence of multiple industry players, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Speaker Abbas, expressing concern over the quality of imported refined products, announced that the Green Chamber would establish a committee to investigate the matter thoroughly, including testing sampled products from various sources. He praised the infrastructure at the Dangote Oil Refinery as a significant asset for Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products and a pivotal player in global energy security and sustainability.
“Today’s visit to the magnificent facilities of Dangote Industries Oil Refinery section has been nothing short of enlightening. It has afforded us a rare opportunity to witness first-hand the monumental strides that your organization has made in transforming the landscape of petroleum production in Nigeria. The sheer scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring; it stands as a beacon of hope for our country as we navigate through the turbulent waters of energy supply challenges,” Abbas stated.
Commending the state-of-the-art technology at the refinery, Abbas described it as revolutionary and a shining example of engineering and innovation excellence. He acknowledged the numerous challenges faced during the refinery’s construction and praised Dangote’s steadfast commitment to achieving excellence despite regulatory hurdles, crude oil supply complexities, and economic challenges.
“Each corner of this facility resonates with the echoes of hard work, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of quality. It is evident that every drop produced here carries not just oil but also the hopes and dreams of millions who yearn for a brighter future. We are deeply impressed by what we have seen during this visit which confirms the rating of this industry as the single largest oil refinery in Africa. This remarkable achievement does not merely reflect corporate success; it symbolizes national pride, a tribute to what can be achieved when visionary leadership meets relentless determination,” he concluded.
