The Dangote Refinery has appointed David Bird, former head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as the chief executive officer of its petroleum and petrochemicals business.
The appointment, which took effect in July 2025, was confirmed by S&P Global Commodity Insights on Friday.
Bird’s mandate is to steer Africa’s largest refinery through ongoing production challenges and drive the $20 billion facility into its next phase of expansion.
Founder and industrialist Aliko Dangote will continue to serve as chairman of the refining business.
The development comes as the 650,000-barrel-per-day plant prepares to commence nationwide distribution of premium motor spirit and automotive gas oil in August 2025—a move facing resistance from petroleum products marketers.
The refinery began fuel rollout in September 2024 and has since ramped up production to enhance domestic supply.
