Dangote Refinery Silent as August 15 Fuel Rollout Deadline Passes

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Dangote Refinery has failed to meet its self-imposed August 15, 2025 deadline to begin nationwide distribution of premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil, leaving Nigerians and industry players in suspense.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, had earlier announced plans to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for nationwide fuel and diesel distribution. The scheme, estimated at N720 billion annually, was touted to save Nigerians N45 per litre in logistics costs, amounting to about N1.2 trillion in “free distribution costs” each year.

Despite the bold promises, the rollout has stalled nearly two weeks after the scheduled date. The refinery has yet to officially address the delay, fueling confusion among marketers, retailers, and suppliers who fear disruptions to their operations.

Aliko Dangote, president of the $20 billion refinery, had previously described the project as a “major shakeup” of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. “It’s going to be one of the biggest changes in the country—not a price cut, but a full-scale overhaul,” Dangote said during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the plant.

Although reports confirmed delivery of some CNG trucks as of August 11, the exact number remains uncertain. Sources suggest the refinery may have received about 1,000 trucks—up from 450—far below the pledged 4,000 units.

With silence from the refinery’s management, speculation continues to swirl over when Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of the much-publicized scheme.