The Dangote Group has appointed David Bird, the former CEO of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as the new Chief Executive Officer of its Petroleum and Petrochemicals division.
The move is seen as a strategic effort to tackle ongoing operational issues and drive the next phase of growth for the multi-billion-dollar oil business.
Bird officially stepped into the role in July 2025, taking over the leadership of the fuels and petrochemicals business unit, which includes the Lagos-based 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery, the largest single-train facility in the world, launched in 2024.
While Aliko Dangote retains his role as Chairman of the refinery and CEO of the wider Dangote Group, the appointment of Bird brings a seasoned refinery expert into the daily operations.
Bird is well known for his tenure at OQ8, where he led the expansion and crude diversification strategy of the Duqm Refinery prior to its test runs in 2023.
According to S&P Global, Bird’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for the refinery, which has experienced a rocky ramp-up due to technical challenges, design flaws, and regulatory bottlenecks.
In a statement shared with Platts (S&P Global Commodity Insights), Bird emphasized his focus on increasing operational efficiency and expanding the refinery’s reach beyond Nigeria.
He also shared via LinkedIn that his priorities include optimizing output and positioning Dangote Refinery as a global player in the refining industry.
Despite its ambitious scale, the Lagos refinery has faced several setbacks since its commissioning in January 2024.
These include unreliable supplies of Nigerian-grade crude, prompting a shift toward more flexible feedstock sourcing.
The facility has nonetheless played a pivotal role in reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported gasoline.
Aliko Dangote has repeatedly criticized what he describes as “rent-seeking” trade practices and the influx of sub-standard fuel imports, which he says have slowed the refinery’s progress.
In line with Bird’s strategy, the company is now focusing on trading performance, maximum plant utilization and crude flexibility approaches that align with its evolving supply challenges.
Though aiming for broader international reach, the refinery is still bound by a naira-denominated supply agreement that obliges it to deliver petroleum products to Nigeria’s domestic market via the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which holds a 7.2% equity stake in the project.
Looking ahead, Dangote Group plans to increase the refinery’s capacity to 700,000 barrels per day, boost port infrastructure, and set up international storage depots in markets such as Namibia.
August 2025 will also mark the launch of its own distribution business, featuring a fleet of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks aimed at improving last-mile delivery.
The company further confirmed it is preparing to list the refinery on the London and Lagos stock exchanges, a move expected to attract international investors and solidify its position as a major player in the global energy sector.
