David Bird named CEO of Dangote Refinery

The Dangote Group has appointed David Bird as the new Chief Executive Officer of its refinery and petrochemicals business, a major leadership move aimed at accelerating operations and addressing existing technical challenges. Bird, a seasoned oil and gas executive with more than 30 years of experience, assumed office in July and is expected to lead the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery through a critical phase of stabilization and expansion.

The appointment of Bird comes at a time when the Dangote Refinery, one of Africa’s most ambitious industrial projects, is transitioning from its construction and early commissioning phase to full-scale operations. Despite its historic commissioning, the refinery has encountered mechanical issues and operational delays that have limited its ability to meet projected output targets. Bird’s arrival is seen as a strategic response to those setbacks.

David Bird’s background includes decades of work with Shell in various leadership roles across Europe, Asia, and Australia. He also previously served as CEO of a major refinery in Oman, where he led startup efforts and managed feedstock diversification for smoother operations. His technical expertise and familiarity with large-scale projects are expected to be vital in optimizing Dangote’s refining processes.

As CEO, Bird will oversee not just the refining operations but also the petrochemicals segment, including future plans for expanding production capacity and exporting refined products. He will report directly to Aliko Dangote, who remains the Chairman of the company. The group’s strategy involves creating a self-reliant refining ecosystem capable of meeting local demand while serving broader African markets.

The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, is the largest single-train refinery in the world. It was commissioned in 2024 with the promise of significantly reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel. However, supply chain constraints, design modifications, and early-stage unit instability have affected its performance in the months following its launch.

Bird’s first mandate includes resolving these bottlenecks, optimizing output levels, and ensuring the facility runs at or near full capacity. Industry watchers believe his focus will be on improving fuel production efficiency, managing feedstock variation, and enhancing the refinery’s turnaround speed. Bird’s experience in refining and trading strategies is also expected to help the company make informed choices about crude sourcing and product distribution.

Under his leadership, the Dangote Group plans to scale operations, improve product quality, and establish stronger export links within West Africa and beyond. Part of the broader vision includes the development of fuel distribution networks and the potential expansion of downstream infrastructure. There is also ongoing discussion about listing the refinery on both local and international stock exchanges to attract investors and increase transparency.

Bird’s appointment is also significant from a governance standpoint. By bringing in an experienced executive with global refining credentials, Dangote is demonstrating a shift toward a performance-driven, professionally managed model. This move may also reassure stakeholders, including regulators and financial partners, who are closely watching the refinery’s commercial and technical progress.

In his early communications, Bird has stressed operational discipline, safety, and long-term planning. He is also expected to play a role in developing local talent within the company, ensuring knowledge transfer and capacity building among Nigerian staff and engineers. With full operations yet to be achieved, his role will be instrumental in transforming the refinery into a dependable hub of fuel supply for Nigeria and the region.

The refinery, once fully operational, is projected to supply a significant portion of Nigeria’s fuel demand and export excess products such as diesel, jet fuel, and polypropylene. It also aims to reduce the country’s exposure to foreign exchange pressures caused by petroleum product imports, a longstanding concern for Nigeria’s economy.

Bird’s appointment signals a new chapter for the Dangote Refinery—one focused not only on completing its technical objectives but also on long-term sustainability, market expansion, and regional leadership. With his experience, the Dangote Group is hoping to solidify its position as a major player in Africa’s energy industry and to realize the full economic potential of the refinery.

As expectations grow, Bird’s leadership will be closely monitored by industry analysts, government stakeholders, and consumers alike. His success or failure could shape not just the future of the Dangote Refinery, but the broader conversation around energy self-sufficiency and industrialization in Nigeria.