World-Rated Fuel Standard: Dangote Refinery Delivers Cleaner Air, Healthier Environment with High-Quality Products — MD
By Raheem Ibrahim
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, David Bird, has disclosed that the private refinery is delivering measurable public health and environmental benefits through the production of Euro 5 standard fuels.
He revealed that the production of Euro 5 standard fuels positions Nigeria among countries with the highest fuel quality specifications globally.
During an interaction with selected executive journalists, Bird explained that modern fuel standards are rooted in public health requirements, particularly the need to reduce harmful emissions linked to high sulphur and metal content.
According to him, the refinery is producing Euro 5 specification petrol with a sulphur content of 50 parts per million, a benchmark designed to protect public health and the environment.
He said: “Fuel specifications have evolved over time in response to public health requirements. Euro 5 is not about imposing costs on industry; it is about safeguarding health and ensuring cleaner air. The reduction of sulphur in fuels has significantly reduced problems such as acid rain and harmful emissions.”
Bird noted that while some countries in West Africa still operate under legacy fuel specifications with far higher sulphur levels, Nigeria now benefits from cleaner fuels produced locally. He added that metals such as lead, previously used to enhance fuel performance, have long been eliminated in advanced markets due to health concerns.
“Nigerians are now enjoying low-sulphur, metal-free petrol comparable to what is available in Europe,” he stated.
Bird further disclosed: “This is something many Europeans take for granted. It should not be considered a luxury. If industry can deliver the highest standards, then consumers have the right to benefit from them. Our ambition is to extend the reach of high-quality fuels across the continent.”
He added that the refinery’s ability to consistently produce cleaner, higher-quality fuels underscores its role in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape while aligning domestic fuel quality with global best practices.
Bird emphasised that the development represents not only an industrial milestone but also a significant advancement in environmental protection and public health standards in Nigeria.
The Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, attended the briefing alongside the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, David Bird, at the refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
