My refinery will begin petrol supply next month, says Aliko Dangote - Newstrends
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My refinery will begin petrol supply next month, says Aliko Dangote

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President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote

My refinery will begin petrol supply next month, says Aliko Dangote

The Dangote refinery has said its plan to release premium motor spirit into the market this month will no longer be possible, sparking reactions from Nigerians.

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote told newsmen during a tour of the facility with Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos State on Sunday that the petrol from the 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery would be out in July.

Dangote said this was due to some minor challenges, stating that the product would be out by July 10 to 15.

“We had a bit of delay, but PMS will start coming out by 10 to 15 of July. But then we want to keep it in the tank to make sure that it settles. So by the third week of July, we’ll be able to come out to take it into the market,” Dangote had said.

Reacting to the update from Dangote, some Nigerians held different views on what could have been the reason for the recurrent postponement.

A Facebook user, Anthony Ihenyen, said it was not easy to have such a huge investment.

“You are trying, sir, and it will fly. We need more people like you to do more here in Nigeria, not abroad. Nobody is a saint.

On his part, Emmanuel Ose expressed concern, saying “Anything that will make an average Nigerian happy is always a problem to get in Nigeria”.

Another commenter, Adeola Orukotan, said, “When you know your refinery isn’t ready, why rush to declare it open? Now it’s over one year with story upon story.”

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An X user, @ajagunsegun, stated, “Nigerians were told that the Dangote refinery was due for operation when it was commissioned by Buhari in May 2023, but up until now, we’re still waiting. Well, Dangote has the right to run his private business however he wishes. But what about the four Nigerian refineries? When President Tinubu came into power, he promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would begin operation by December last year, this is June 2024, and we’re still waiting. Sincerely, there’s no way you’ll reside in Nigeria without developing the tendency to lie. There are too many lies and government propaganda everywhere.

But Michael Chibuzo remarked that a refinery is not a “barbecue business.”

“It is complex. You have to pass a lot of tests and carry out many test runs. Commercial production is always the last stage of the entire process. Let’s be patient,” Chibuzo advised.

@Selomsarl stated, “Thank you for the update, Mr. Dangote. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring the quality of the petrol before releasing it into the market. Your dedication to producing high-quality products is commendable. Questions, sir: How will the new refinery’s production affect the current fuel scarcity in the country? Will the petrol produced by the refinery be subsidised, or will it be sold at the current market price? How will the distribution of the petrol be handled to ensure it reaches all states and regions equally?”

In all of these, a netizen, Stanley Omoyemi, submitted, “We are waiting patiently.”

The PUNCH recalls that Dangote, last month, disclosed that it would begin the sale of PMS in June, saying his refinery would end the importation of petrol into Nigeria.

Speaking at the recent Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Dangote expressed optimism about transforming Africa’s energy landscape.

“Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline and by sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import anything like gasoline; not one drop of a litre,” he declared

“We have enough gasoline to give to at least the entire West Africa, diesel to give to West Africa and Central Africa. We have enough aviation fuel to give to the entire continent and also export some to Brazil and Mexico.

“We have started producing jet fuel, we are producing diesel, and by next month, we’ll be producing gasoline. What that will do, it will be able to take most African crude,” Dangote told the panel.

The words of Dangote appeared to have come as a soothing balm to marketers and Nigerians who are hopeful that the Dangote would crash the price of petrol from around N700 to N500 or below.

My refinery will begin petrol supply next month, says Aliko Dangote

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Jetour Set to Storm Abuja Show with Rugged Luxury T2 

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Jetour Set to Storm Abuja Show with Rugged Luxury T2 

 

Abuja is set for a taste of rugged luxury as Jetour Nigeria puts its adventure-ready T2 SUV in the spotlight at the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, 2026, giving motorists in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states an opportunity to test its blend of off-road capability, premium comfort and advanced technology.

The three-day showcase at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, will feature test drives, live demonstrations and direct interaction with Jetour product specialists, offering prospective buyers a closer look at the T2 and other models in the automaker’s growing Nigerian line-up.

Positioned as a premium SUV combining off-road capability with comfort and advanced technology, the Jetour T2 is designed for motorists seeking a vehicle capable of handling both city driving and challenging terrain.

Jetour Nigeria is distributing the T2 and other models via its seven accredited dealers — Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Tab Autos Limited.

The T 2 SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 254 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and BorgWarner sixth-generation intelligent four-wheel-drive system.

It also features five driving modes — Eco, Sport, Mud, Rock and X Smart — designed to provide improved adaptability across different road and terrain conditions.

Measuring 4,758mm in length, 2,006mm in width and 1,880mm in height, the SUV offers 220mm ground clearance and a 70-litre fuel tank, giving it the capability for extended journeys and off-road adventures.

Inside the cabin, the T2 combines rugged styling with modern comfort, featuring ergonomic seating and a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and intelligent voice control.

Its safety and driver-assistance features include a 360-degree panoramic camera, rear parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Anti-lock Braking System and Emergency Brake Assist.

The SUV also comes with off-road crawl control as well as push-button and remote-start functions.

The Abuja experience follows Jetour Nigeria’s recent showcase in Lagos as the automaker continues to expand its presence and customer reach across the country.

With its combination of performance, technology, safety and luxury, the Jetour T2 is expected to attract motorists seeking an SUV capable of combining everyday urban mobility with adventure and off-road driving.

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NCAA Moves Against Airlines Over Rising Flight Delays

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NCAA Moves Against Airlines Over Rising Flight Delays

Thousands of Nigerian air passengers faced delays in August as domestic airlines struggled to keep to their scheduled flight times.

Now, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it is taking regulatory steps that could lead to sanctions against airlines responsible for persistent delays.

The regulator’s August data showed that 4,765 of 7,961 scheduled domestic flights were delayed. In other words, nearly 60 per cent of the flights did not leave as scheduled.

Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines recorded some of the highest delay rates, with 71 per cent and 76 per cent of their flights respectively affected.

NCAA Warns Airlines

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said that the regulator had already engaged some of the airlines involved.

According to him, the NCAA met with Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines and Max Air and issued stern warnings over their operations.

The authority is now weighing further regulatory measures as the problem continues to affect passengers.

Achimugu also urged travellers to consider other airlines when repeated delays make a particular carrier unreliable.

When one airline is continuously misbehaving, buy tickets on another airline and make your flight” he said.

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Passenger Rights Put Enforcement Under Spotlight

However, aviation consultant Capt. John Ojikutu believes the recurring problem exposes a wider weakness in the sector.

Ojikutu said Nigeria has regulations intended to protect air travellers, but questioned how consistently those rules are enforced.

The regulation is there to protect the customer. What is the enforcement?” he said.

He noted that passengers can report violations to the appropriate authorities. But, in his view, regulators must follow up on those complaints with meaningful action.

The aviation expert also recalled experiencing severe delays himself.

He said he once travelled to Abuja and passengers had to board an aircraft three times before another plane was brought in to complete the journey.

The disruption, he said, left him returning to Lagos considerably later than expected.

Are Airlines Planning Their Routes Properly?

Ojikutu also linked the industry’s problems to the way some airlines plan their operations.

He questioned the number of carriers competing on the Lagos-Abuja route, particularly when several airlines operate multiple flights each day.

His argument is that airlines should first establish the level of passenger demand before selecting routes, aircraft sizes and flight frequencies.

According to him, deploying aircraft capable of carrying more than 100 passengers without sufficient demand can put additional financial pressure on an airline.

He therefore advised carriers to consider routes with enough passengers but less competition.

Smaller Aircraft Could Serve Regional Routes

Ojikutu said the industry could also learn from the operational model used by the former Nigerian Airways.

He recalled that the airline used larger aircraft on major routes while smaller planes connected regional destinations to major airports.

He suggested that modern carriers could adopt a similar approach by connecting cities such as Sokoto, Kaduna, Jos and Minna to larger aviation hubs.

Rather than having every airline compete directly on major routes, he said carriers could develop regional networks that feed passengers into bigger airports.

He also called for more airlines to establish bases outside Lagos.

According to him, encouraging operations in other parts of the country could reduce the heavy concentration of airlines in Lagos and create stronger regional connections.

Concern Over Airline Survival

Ojikutu further questioned the short lifespan of many Nigerian airlines.

He attributed part of the problem to weak business planning and argued that airlines should present credible, sustainable plans before receiving regulatory approval to operate.

The latest development therefore puts both airlines and the aviation regulator under scrutiny, as passengers continue to deal with delays despite existing rules designed to protect them.

NCAA Moves Against Airlines Over Rising Flight Delays

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Fuel Prices Climb to ₦1,500 per Litre Across Nigeria, Sparking Calls for Urgent Action

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Fuel Prices Climb to ₦1,500 per Litre Across Nigeria, Sparking Calls for Urgent Action

Workers’ unions and fuel sellers appeal to the government to protect families from soaring transportation and food costs.

Fuel stations across Nigeria have raised the price of petrol to as high as ₦1,500 per litre, creating fresh financial strain for working people, small business operators, and families. Across cities such as Kano, Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Sokoto, drivers and commercial riders now pay higher rates at the pump, while stations in central and southern communities also report steady increases.

Because transportation costs directly influence the price of everyday essentials, bus drivers and tricycle operators have raised passenger fares to cover their fuel bills. As a result, parents and commuters face steeper daily travel expenses and rising grocery bills.

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To address this pressure, the Nigeria Labour Congress urged federal authorities to step in quickly with practical relief measures. These proposals include providing cost-of-living allowances to workers, ensuring local refineries can purchase crude oil directly in local currency, and using surplus oil earnings to keep pump prices affordable.

At the same time, fuel sellers warned that pump prices could rise even further if international oil markets remain volatile. Retail associations noted that recent wholesale adjustments from local refineries have increased costs for station owners, who must pay more to restock their tanks.

To keep fuel affordable for the general public, union leaders and station operators are encouraging the government to reduce shipping and regulatory fees, helping ensure that reliable energy remains accessible to every community across the country.

Fuel Prices Climb to ₦1,500 per Litre Across Nigeria, Sparking Calls for Urgent Action

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