The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has come out swinging against what it calls “lazy lies and market manipulation,” flatly denying claims of a shutdown or petrol price hike. The refinery insists Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains ₦850 per litre — and operations are running at full throttle.
Recent online gossip alleged that the refinery had suspended production and halted truck loading, sparking speculation of looming scarcity. But in a strongly worded statement, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina described the reports as “baseless, mischievous, and the handiwork of those who profit from panic.”
“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities,” Chiejina said, adding that those peddling falsehoods should “find better hobbies.”
The refinery explained that the recent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) was a normal business process, often done in large parcels and via tender — nothing more than routine. As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, Dangote employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance systems that ensure uninterrupted production. Routine servicing, it stressed, has zero effect on fuel supply.
On the numbers, the facility continues to deliver over 40 million litres of petrol and 15 million litres of diesel daily, keeping tankers rolling nationwide without delay.
Then came the knockout punch:
“We challenge anyone who believes these rumours to place immediate orders for 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel daily for the next 90 days. Let’s see who’s bluffing,” Chiejina dared.
Industry watchers say this statement sends a clear message to speculators hoping to trigger artificial scarcity — the refinery isn’t flinching, and neither should consumers.
For now, Dangote’s message to the market is simple: ignore the panic peddlers, fill your tanks, and let the rumour mill choke on its own fumes.
I can also prepare a headline-plus-subheadline combo version that makes it even more punchy for the front page. That way it grabs immediate attention.