By Erewunmi Peace

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, says his multibillion-dollar refinery has ended more than five decades of persistent fuel queues in Nigeria, following the commencement of petrol production on September 3, 2024.

Speaking at the refinery’s one-year petrol production anniversary, Dangote said Nigerians are witnessing a new era of energy stability. According to him, the refinery has eliminated the recurrent scarcity that often left motorists struggling for hours at filling stations.

“For 50 years, Nigerians endured fuel queues, but with our refinery now in operation, that era has ended,” Dangote stated.

The refinery, located in Lagos, is the largest in Africa and has significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported petrol. Reports indicate that pump prices, which previously peaked near ₦1,100 per litre, have dropped in some states to around ₦841, due to improved domestic supply.

Dangote also highlighted plans to expand distribution through CNG-powered trucks and other infrastructure, ensuring fuel reaches more parts of the country efficiently.

However, analysts caution that while fuel queues have reduced nationwide, challenges remain. Distribution bottlenecks, pricing variations, and occasional refinery outages mean that scarcity has not been completely eliminated in all regions.

Still, the refinery’s impact is being widely felt, with industry observers describing it as a game-changer for Nigeria’s downstream sector and a key step towards energy security.