Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, has appointed former Shell executive David Bird as the new Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals. The move signals a new phase of operational growth and international ambition for Nigeria’s flagship private-sector industrial venture.
Bird, a Stanford University graduate, brings over 25 years of global leadership experience across the oil and gas sector. His career includes senior roles in some of the world’s most complex energy projects, including a 14-year tenure at Shell, where he rose to become Vice President of the $12 billion Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility, Shell’s pioneering offshore project in Australia.
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Prior to joining Dangote Refinery, Bird served as CEO of OQ8 in Oman, managing a 230,000 barrels-per-day refinery. His expertise in navigating multi-billion-dollar projects and multicultural teams aligns with the scale and complexity of the Dangote industrial ecosystem.
A Refinery on the Rise
Bird’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Dangote Refinery, located on the outskirts of Lagos. The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility—Africa’s largest—continues to ramp up its operations, with crude imports reaching 18.87 million barrels in July alone, a 29% increase and the highest monthly tally this year.
With plans to supply both local and export markets, the refinery is at the center of Nigeria’s ambition to end reliance on imported petroleum products and build self-sufficiency in energy and petrochemicals.
Laying the Groundwork for a Port-Powered Future
Beyond refining, Dangote is already charting the next stage of infrastructure development—an Atlantic seaport in Olokola, Ogun State. The port, for which an application was filed in late June, is strategically located about 100 kilometers from Dangote’s fertilizer and petrochemical complexes in Lagos. It is expected to ease logistics, support exports, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a regional industrial hub.
Currently, the company exports urea and fertilizer via a private jetty at its refinery site. This same jetty has also been used to receive heavy machinery and equipment for the facility—highlighting Dangote’s preference for vertically integrated infrastructure solutions.
Vision, Values, and Leadership
In his own words, David Bird describes his leadership approach as one grounded in diversity, innovation, and sustainable growth:
“Throughout my professional journey, I discovered that championing diverse views is a potent approach to foster a future that promotes creativity, environmental sustainability, and robust economic expansion.”
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Bird, a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, is also a vocal advocate of local content development and reconciliation, two priorities that align with Dangote’s drive to build a globally competitive African enterprise with deep national roots.
As Nigeria’s industrial skyline transforms with Dangote Refinery at its helm, David Bird’s appointment not only affirms the company’s global ambitions—it sets the tone for a new era of strategic leadership and integrated industrial expansion.
