Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has appointed the former head of Oman’s Duqm refinery, David Bird, as chief executive officer of its petroleum and petrochemicals business.

This was disclosed by S & P Global Commodity Insights on Friday.

Bird’s appointment takes effect from July 2025.

The move is aimed at overcoming production challenges and advancing the $20 billion refinery to its next phase of expansion.

Meanwhile, the refinery’s founder, Aliko Dangote, will remain chairman of the refining business.

The development comes as the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery finalises plans to roll out premium motor spirit and automotive gas oil distribution nationwide from August 2025, a move opposed by the country’s petroleum products marketers.

The refinery officially commenced fuel rollout in September last year and has since continued to ramp up production capacity.