Dangote Refinery Names David Bird As New CEO To Drive Expansion.
Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird, a former Shell executive, as its new chief executive officer, marking a pivotal moment for the $20 billion facility. The announcement, made on 1 August 2025, signals the company’s ambition to overcome production challenges and expand its influence across Africa’s energy sector, with Bird’s appointment effective from July 2025.
Bird, a seasoned industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise from his 14-year tenure at Shell, where he spearheaded the $12 billion Prelude Floating LNG project. His recent role as CEO of Oman’s Duqm Refinery saw him successfully guide the facility through its commissioning phase, a track record that makes him well-suited to steer Dangote’s operations. A mechanical engineering graduate from Imperial College London with an MBA from Stanford University, Bird is tasked with boosting efficiency at the world’s largest single-train refinery, located in Lagos, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Since its commissioning in January 2024, the refinery has transformed Nigeria’s fuel landscape, slashing petrol imports and exporting 220,000 barrels per day of products like jet fuel and gasoil in July 2025. However, operational hurdles, including design flaws and unit outages, have slowed progress. Bird’s appointment comes as the refinery diversifies its crude slate and plans to scale up to 700,000 barrels per day by year-end. His strategic focus, outlined in a LinkedIn post, includes maximising output and expanding Dangote’s footprint across Africa.
The move has sparked discussion about Nigeria’s reliance on foreign expertise for its largest industrial project, with some questioning the absence of local leadership. Nonetheless, Aliko Dangote, who remains chairman of the refinery and CEO of the wider Dangote Group, praised Bird’s “deep technical expertise” as critical for the next phase of growth. The company is also preparing to launch a fleet of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks for nationwide fuel distribution starting 15 August 2025 and is seeking approval for a deep-sea port in Ogun State to bolster logistics.
As Dangote eyes listings on the Lagos and London stock exchanges, Bird’s leadership is expected to strengthen operational stability and attract global investors. This appointment underscores the refinery’s pivotal role in reshaping Africa’s energy markets, offering a brighter future for Nigeria’s fuel independence.
