By Barth Ikiebe.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird, the former head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The appointment, which took effect from July 2025, aims to tackle production hurdles and drive the next phase of the refinery’s expansion.
Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, will however, retain his role as Chairman of the refining business while continuing to serve as CEO of the broader group, which operates cement, fertiliser, and sugar refining subsidiaries.
Bird, who previously served as the head of operations at Shell’s Balau Pokom refinery, will lead the fuels and petrochemicals division of the Dangote Group. His appointment signals a renewed focus on scaling production, streamlining operations, and solidifying the company’s position as a dominant force in Africa’s refining and petrochemical landscape.
The company hopes to leverage Bird’s experience in expanding the Duqm refinery and diversifying its crude slate.
Bird’s new role at Dangote will focus on maximizing refinery output and efficiency, pushing the group’s reach beyond the Nigerian market and across the African continent.
Since its commissioning in January 2024, the Dangote refinery has grown its market share in the Nigerian fuel sector, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on gasoline imports. However, founder Aliko Dangote has criticised “rent-seeking” trade partners and substandard fuel imports for straining the business.
Bird’s philosophy, which he previously shared in an interview with Platts, emphasises a trading-led approach centred on high utilisation rates, efficiency, and feedstock flexibility.
