Mr. Anthony Chiejina, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at Dangote Group, relayed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Dangote's comments came during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Ltd. complex by members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Mr. Tajudeen Abbas.
The visit featured an on-site test of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) from two local petrol stations alongside Dangote’s diesel, overseen by the Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream, Mr. Ikeagwunon Ugochinyere, and Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream, Mr. Okojie Odianosen.
Chiejina detailed that diesel samples were procured from well-known filling stations near Eleko junction along the Lekki Epe Expressway. Lab tests revealed that Dangote’s diesel contained only 87.6 ppm (parts per million) of sulphur, while the other samples had over 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm, respectively.
These findings debunked recent claims by Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, who suggested that imported diesel was superior. Ahmed had alleged that the Dangote refinery and other local refineries produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppm, a statement widely criticized as favoring imports over local products.
Dangote openly challenged the regulator to a quality comparison between his refinery’s products and imported ones, advocating for an impartial assessment. “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria,” he said. “It’s disheartening that instead of protecting the market, the regulator undermines it. Our doors are open for tests anytime; transparency is key for us.”
He added, “We encourage the regulator to showcase its laboratory so Nigerians can compare. Our focus is on Nigeria first. If Nigeria doesn’t grow, our growth capacity is limited.”
Dangote expressed gratitude to the Speaker and House members for their diligent sampling process, noting that their diesel showed significantly lower sulphur content compared to the permissible limit of 650 ppm approved by ECOWAS until January 2025. He highlighted that their goal is to achieve 10 ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard, while imported diesel is capped at 50 ppm but often exceeds this standard.
He emphasized that high-sulphur diesel imported into Nigeria frequently comes with dubious certifications, posing health risks and financial losses. “The best verification method is to purchase directly from filling stations and conduct tests,” he said. “Our refinery exports diesel and jet fuel to Europe and Asia without complaints, indicating satisfaction with our products.”
Supporting Dangote’s assertion, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Ltd., highlighted actions by Belgium and the Netherlands against high-sulphur diesel due to its carcinogenic effects, leading to bans on such exports to West Africa.
Edwin informed lawmakers that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery processes various crudes, including African and Middle Eastern crudes, and US Light Tight Oil, meeting Euro V specifications and complying with US EPA, European emission norms, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) standards, and African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards. He stated that the refinery could meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel, with surpluses for export.
Addressing the quality of imported refined products, Speaker Abbas announced that the House would establish a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter, with plans to test sampled products from various sources.
He expressed admiration for the Dangote Oil Refinery's infrastructure, describing it as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products. “Today’s visit has been enlightening, showcasing the monumental strides Dangote has made in transforming Nigeria’s petroleum production landscape,” Abbas said.
Praising the state-of-the-art technology implemented at the refinery, Abbas commended it as a revolutionary example of engineering excellence. “Every corner of this facility reflects hard work, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of quality,” he remarked. “This refinery stands as a beacon of hope for Nigeria as we navigate through energy supply challenges.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced during the refinery’s construction, Abbas lauded Dangote’s commitment to excellence despite regulatory and economic hurdles. “Your unwavering commitment shines through despite the challenges,” he attested.
#OurDieselMeetsInternationalStandard #Dangote
