Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has announced the appointment of David Bird, a seasoned oil executive and former CEO of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as the new chief executive officer of its petroleum and petrochemicals division.

Bird officially assumed the role in July 2025, marking a strategic shift as the company moves to scale operations and address persistent production challenges at its $20 billion mega facility.

The announcement, reported by S&P Global Commodity Insights, highlights the refinery’s push to advance into its next phase — one that includes the nationwide distribution of premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (AGO), starting August 2025. However, this rollout has drawn criticism from petroleum marketers, who oppose the plan for direct distribution.

Despite the leadership change, Aliko Dangote, founder of the refinery and Africa’s richest man, will continue as chairman of the board, providing overarching guidance as the plant ramps up capacity.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery began fuel output in September 2024 and has steadily increased production since. With Bird at the helm, the company is expected to strengthen its operational efficiency and navigate market tensions surrounding its distribution strategy.