Dangote Petrochemical Refinery has reportedly cancelled its scheduled maintenance for June 2025 at its premium motor spirit (PMS) producing unit, according to a Reuters report published on Tuesday.

The 204,000 barrels per day PMS unit was initially set to undergo a 30-day maintenance period next month. However, this has been deemed unnecessary after the facility conducted emergency repairs and upgrades between April 7 and May 11, 2025.

According to industry monitor Industrial Info Resources Energy, cited by Reuters, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery increased exports of residual products such as straight-run fuel oil during the unplanned outage period. Meanwhile, shipping trade analytics firm Kpler reported that exports of finished products like jet fuel and gasoil experienced a decline.

The development comes as Nigeria's petrol imports rose by 24 percent in April to 157,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 210.54 million litres. Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, had initially planned to shut the gasoline-making residue fluid catalytic cracking unit for maintenance in June.

The refinery began operations earlier this year, with the rollout of gasoil, naphtha, and jet fuel in January 2024, followed by gasoline production in September. This facility represents a significant milestone in Nigeria's petroleum industry, potentially reducing the country's dependence on imported refined products.

As of the time of filing this report, Dangote Refinery has not officially commented on the maintenance cancellation.