The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed reports suggesting a possible two to three-month shutdown of its petrol unit. Group spokesman Anthony Chiejina labelled the claims as “fake,” stressing the refinery remains fully operational. The clarification comes amid widespread public concern over fuel supply stability and Nigeria’s energy security.

The management of the $20 billion Dangote refinery has dismissed claims that a key petrol-making unit was down for months, describing reports of an extended shutdown as speculative and misleading.

Industry monitor IIR Energy had suggested that the refinery’s Residue Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) — vital to petrol output — had been offline since late August due to catalyst leaks and might remain so for two to three months. Reuters amplified that report, citing September 20 as a tentative restart date but warning that heavy repairs could drag on.

Dangote’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, rebuffed the claims, questioning why “could” was used if the report were certain. “Fake news,” he told our correspondent, adding that the facility had not suffered the kind of technical halt being circulated.

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The refinery, which only began operations in January 2024, has already altered global fuel trade flows. European and British gasoline exports to Nigeria have dipped sharply, while Dangote has managed its first-ever shipments to the U.S. East Coast — a major benchmark given America’s strict fuel standards.

Despite the controversy, the plant is pressing ahead with ambitious plans to ramp up to 700,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025. Part of that expansion includes sourcing heavier crudes such as Ghana’s Sankofa, which was delivered in August, alongside Brazilian and Angolan grades.

Data from energy tracker Kpler shows crude supply to Dangote spiked to a record 570,000 barrels per day in July, with U.S. light sweet crude unexpectedly outpacing Nigerian grades for the first time — a sign of both domestic supply constraints and the refinery’s flexibility in feedstock sourcing.

Nigeria’s junior oil minister, Heineken Lokpobiri, has acknowledged the challenge, urging higher domestic output to ensure the country can feed its flagship refinery while meeting export obligations.

For now, Dangote appears keen to reassure markets that operations remain on track. What remains clear is that even in the midst of rumor and speculation, the refinery is reshaping trade routes from West Africa to Europe and the U.S.