Nigeria’s 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, effective July 2025.
According to a report by S&P Global on Friday, the move comes as the group seeks to address production challenges and drive the next phase of expansion for its refining business.
Bird brings with him extensive experience from his leadership at OQ8, the company behind Oman’s Duqm refinery, where he played a key role in scaling operations and diversifying crude supply just before the facility began test runs in 2023.
He now takes the helm of the Dangote Group’s fuels and petrochemicals business, which commissioned the world’s largest single-train refinery—capable of refining 650,000 barrels per day—in January 2024.
Despite Bird’s appointment, Aliko Dangote, the company’s founder, will remain chairman of the refining division and continue as CEO of the broader Dangote Group, which also operates in cement, fertilizers, and sugar refining.
In comments to S&P Global’s Platts, Bird stated that his focus would be on expanding Dangote’s operations beyond Nigeria into broader African and global markets. In a LinkedIn post, he emphasized the importance of maximizing output, improving efficiency, and positioning the company as a global refining leader.
The appointment follows operational setbacks at the Lagos-based refinery, including unit disruptions and design issues that have hampered the plant’s ramp-up. The group’s leadership has also cited an unfavourable business environment as a hurdle to smooth operations.
Since beginning operations, the Dangote refinery has significantly reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, carving out a major share in the domestic fuel market. However, Dangote has publicly criticized what he described as “rent-seeking” trade practices and substandard fuel imports undermining the business.
Bird’s strategy is expected to emphasize a trading-focused model, prioritizing high plant utilization, operational efficiency, and flexible feedstock options. This aligns with recent adjustments at the refinery, which has shifted to processing a broader range of crude grades due to limited availability of the Nigerian oil originally intended for use.
Despite these changes, the refinery remains bound by a naira-based agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), requiring it to supply a set volume of refined products to the domestic market. NNPC holds a 7.2% stake in the refinery.
Looking ahead, the Dangote Group plans to expand refinery capacity to 700,000 barrels per day, enhance port infrastructure, and establish foreign storage facilities in Namibia and other locations.
In August, the company is expected to launch a new fuel distribution arm, featuring a fleet of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks, as part of its $20 billion investment in refining infrastructure.
