The Dangote Refinery has appointed David Bird, a seasoned veteran with over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, as its new Chief Executive Officer. This strategic leadership change comes as the company focuses on maximizing the refinery's output, resolving production challenges, and driving its pan-African growth strategy.
- Bird is an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, including a 14-year tenure at Shell.
- Before joining Dangote, he was the CEO of OQ8, which runs the Duqm refinery in Oman.
- He is a mechanical engineer with a degree from Imperial College, London, and holds an MBA from Stanford University.
- His priorities at Dangote include maximizing refinery output, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding the company's presence across the African continent.
- He officially took on the role in July 2025, during a period when the refinery is working to resolve production challenges and advance its expansion plans.
- Bird's strategy is centered on a trading-led approach, focusing on high utilization rates, efficiency, and feedstock flexibility to achieve a competitive edge.
- Aliko Dangote will remain as the chairman of the refining business and the CEO of the wider Dangote Group.
David Bird's appointment signals a new operational focus for the Dangote Refinery, emphasizing a trading-led approach to boost output and efficiency. His extensive background in the global energy sector is expected to be instrumental in navigating the company's expansion, solidifying its role as a key player in Nigeria's and Africa's energy landscape.
