Dangote appoints David Bird new CEO, billionaire remains Chairman
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Dangote Refinery has appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Bird, former head of Duqm Refinery in Oman, to bring in more international flavour to the $20b facility in Lagos, particularly its petroleum and petrochemicals business.
The appointment, which was disclosed by S&P Global Commodity Insights on August 2, took effect from July 2025.
The move is aimed at overcoming production challenges and pivoting the refinery to its next phase of expansion.
Owner Aliko Dangote, 68, remains Chairman of the refining business though scaling back involvement in other entities of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and giving his eldest three daughters more leadership roles the business empire.
The development comes as the refinery finalises plans to roll out petrol and diesel distribution nationwide from August 2025, a move opposed by petroleum products marketers.
Dangote Refinery officially began production in September 2024 and has since continued ramping up to achieve its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd).
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