Dangote Hires Shell Executive David Bird as CEO of Refinery Business

Aliko Dangote has hired David Bird, a former Shell executive, as CEO of his refinery and petrochemical firm. Bird previously served as CEO of a refinery in Oman and spent 14 years with Shell. The appointment comes as Dangote ramps up processing at his 650,000 barrels-a-day refinery and applies to build a port in Nigeria.

Aliko Dangote has appointed David Bird, a former Shell executive, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals. The appointment, effective from July 2025, comes as Dangote ramps up processing at its 650,000 barrels-a-day refinery and plans to build a port in Nigeria [1].

David Bird, who previously served as CEO of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, brings extensive experience in refining and petrochemicals. He has worked with Shell for about 20 years, holding various executive positions, including vice-president of Prelude FLNG at Shell, where he led the world’s first floating LNG facility [2].

The appointment signals Dangote’s renewed focus on scaling production and positioning itself as a dominant force in Africa’s refining and petrochemical landscape. Bird’s experience in expanding refineries and diversifying crude slates will be crucial as Dangote aims to overcome production challenges and advance its next wave of expansion [1].

Dangote Group founder Aliko Dangote will remain as chairman of the refining business and CEO of the wider conglomerate, which operates in cement, fertilizers, and sugar refining. Bird will be responsible for ensuring maximum output and efficiency for the refinery, aiming to make the group a leader in the global market [1].

The appointment comes amidst the refinery’s efforts to ramp up operations and cement its position as a major player in Africa’s energy sector. The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity refinery was inaugurated in May 2023 and has since begun producing diesel, aviation fuel, and petrol, meeting global quality standards [2].

Dangote Group plans to expand the capacity of the Lagos refinery to 700,000 barrels per day, build out port infrastructure, and establish foreign storage assets in Namibia and other countries. By August 15, the refinery is expected to begin the distribution of fuel to end-users, deploying 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for the operation [2].

The appointment of David Bird as CEO marks a strategic move for Dangote as it seeks to solidify its position in the global refining market and expand its footprint across Africa.

References:
[1] https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-gets-new-ceo/
[2] https://www.thecable.ng/dangote-refinery-appoints-david-bird-ex-shell-executive-as-ceo/