- David Bird will lead Dangote refinery’s drive to scale operations and boost fuel distribution across Nigeria and Africa.
- Bird’s leadership aims to enhance operational efficiency and maximise output to position the company in global energy markets.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird as the chief executive officer of its petroleum and petrochemicals business.
The appointment took effect in July 2025, according to a report by S&P Global.
The development comes as the refinery grapples with production challenges and ambitious plans for nationwide fuel distribution.
According to TheCable, quoting a source, Bird is a mechanical engineer who spent about two decades working with Shell.
“He is a mechanical engineer. A graduate of Imperial College, London. He has an MBA from Sandford University,” the source was quoted as saying.
Aliko Dangote, the chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, will continue as chairman of the refinery while serving as CEO of the entire group.
Bird previously headed Oman’s Duqm refinery and served as SVP of production operations and supply chain at Santos Ltd.
At Shell, he was vice-president of Prelude FLNG and chaired Shell Australia’s RAP board.
He also led operations at Pulau Bukom, Singapore, which is Shell’s largest refinery globally.
Speaking on his appointment, Bird said he would focus on expanding the group’s footprint beyond Nigeria and across Africa.
In a LinkedIn post cited by S&P, Bird said he was tasked with “driving maximum output and operational efficiency to position the company as a global market leader”.
Bird’s appointment is seen as crucial as the refinery accelerates operations to secure a stronghold in Africa’s energy sector.
The 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery was inaugurated by former president Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.
On January 12, 2024, the refinery announced it had commenced diesel and aviation fuel production after receiving its sixth crude cargo.
By September 3, 2024, Dangote refinery confirmed the start of petrol production, saying the product meets international standards.
The refinery also partnered with Premier Product Marketing LLC, a US-based firm, to export polypropylene to global markets.
By August 15, 2025, the refinery plans to distribute fuel nationwide using 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks.