The Dangote Refinery has appointed David Bird, former head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as the new Chief Executive Officer of its petroleum and petrochemicals business.
The appointment, which took effect in July 2025, was disclosed by S&P Global Commodity Insights on Friday.
Bird’s leadership is expected to help steer the $20 billion mega-refinery through its current production challenges and position it for its next phase of growth and expansion.
Despite the leadership transition, Aliko Dangote will retain his position as Chairman of the refinery’s board.
The development comes as the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery prepares to begin nationwide distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) starting August 2025 — a rollout facing pushback from petroleum product marketers.
Dangote Refinery began fuel distribution in September 2024 and has continued to scale up operations since.
