In a strategic leadership move, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird as the new Chief Executive Officer of its fuels and petrochemicals division. Bird, a seasoned oil and gas executive and former head of Oman’s Duqm refinery, assumed the role in July 2025, as the $20 billion Lagos-based refinery enters a critical phase of expansion and operational refinement.
Bird brings over 25 years of experience across upstream, LNG, and downstream operations, having held key positions at Shell, Santos, and most recently OQ8—a joint venture between Oman Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum International. His appointment is expected to bolster the refinery’s performance and help resolve ongoing production challenges, including design flaws and unit upsets that have slowed ramp-up since commissioning in January 2024.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, remains chairman of the refining business and CEO of the broader conglomerate, which spans cement, sugar, and fertilizer industries. Bird’s mandate includes maximizing refinery output, improving operational efficiency, and expanding the company’s footprint across Africa.
“My focus will be on refining excellence and strategic growth across the continent,” Bird stated in a LinkedIn post following his appointment.
The Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train facility with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has already begun displacing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel. However, it faces regulatory hurdles and supply constraints, including a naira-based crude agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which owns a 7.2% stake in the refinery.
Looking ahead, the group plans to expand capacity to 700,000 bpd, roll out a fleet of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, and list the refining arm on both the Lagos and London stock exchanges.
David Bird’s appointment signals a renewed push to position Dangote Refinery as a continental leader in energy production and innovation.
