In a strategic move to propel the Dangote Refinery into its next phase of growth and expansion, Aliko Dangote has announced the appointment of seasoned oil and gas veteran David Bird as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Bird, a Stanford University graduate, brings a distinguished career spanning leadership roles at major global energy companies. He joins Dangote Refinery after a successful tenure as CEO of OQ8, a 230,000 barrels-a-day refinery in Oman. Prior to that, Bird spent 14 years at Shell, culminating in his role as Vice President of Prelude FLNG, a $12 billion facility supporting Shell’s Australian operations.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Dangote’s industrial empire. The 650,000 barrels-a-day Dangote Refinery, located near Lagos, is rapidly increasing its processing capacity, with crude imports surging 29% in July to a year-high of 18.87 million barrels. Furthermore, Dangote has recently applied to build a new Atlantic seaport in Olokola, Ogun state, approximately 100 kilometers from the refinery and fertilizer plant. This new port is designed to further support the rapid expansion of his industrial operations.
Bird’s extensive experience in managing large-scale, complex energy projects is expected to be instrumental in driving the refinery’s operational excellence and overseeing its strategic expansion plans, including the new port development. He will lead the team in capitalizing on the refinery’s immense potential to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel needs and become a major exporter of refined petroleum products.
About Dangote Refinery:
The Dangote Refinery is a 650,000 barrels-per-day integrated refinery and petrochemical complex located in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria. It is designed to process a variety of crude oils, producing high-quality fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, as well as polypropylene. The refinery aims to significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products and boost the country’s economic self-sufficiency.
