Dangote Petroleum Refinery has denied reports suggesting that it imports finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria, describing the claims as misleading and a misrepresentation of its operations.
The clarification follows recent publications attributed to S&P Global and amplified through some newspaper advertisements on Monday, February 9, 2026. The refinery said the reports falsely portrayed its activities and Nigeria’s refining landscape.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dangote Refinery said the issue was addressed at an S&P Global forum held in the United Kingdom, where the company clarified its operational processes. According to the refinery, the forum subsequently acknowledged its role in reshaping the global refining industry.
The management stressed that the refinery does not import finished PMS, commonly referred to as petrol or gasoline, into Nigeria. It explained that it only imports feedstocks and blending components required to optimise the utilisation of its secondary processing units.
“These materials are not finished products and must undergo further processing before meeting regulated market specifications,” the company said.
Dangote Refinery also disclosed that it has identified individuals it accused of promoting the “misleading narrative,” adding that their identities and motives would be made public at the appropriate time.
“This propaganda is being promoted by unpatriotic and unscrupulous individuals who cannot afford to see Nigeria stop imports. These individuals will soon have their day in court,” the statement said.
The refinery explained that, as a merchant refinery operating in line with global best practices, it imports only intermediate products such as high-sulphur reformates, low-RON condensates and high-sulphur cracked gasoline.
These inputs, it said, are standard components used by refineries worldwide and cannot be sold directly as finished PMS without further processing.
According to the company, similar practices are common in advanced refining hubs across Europe and Asia, where refineries optimise crude slates and blending strategies to improve efficiency and margins.
Dangote Refinery warned that mischaracterising such intermediate streams as finished fuel distorts public understanding and undermines confidence in Nigeria’s domestic refining progress.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the only gasoline supplied to the Nigerian market from our facility is Euro 5 compliant PMS,” the company stated, adding that all products undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure they meet international standards.
Since commencing operations, the refinery said it has improved fuel quality in the Nigerian market and ended the country’s dependence on low-grade, high-sulphur gasoline previously imported into West Africa.
The company called on S&P Global and other industry stakeholders to ensure greater technical accuracy and balance in their reporting, noting the influence such reports have on global perceptions.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s energy security, environmental sustainability and economic development through world-class refining operations.
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