Dr. Mumuni Dagazau

Dr. Mumuni Dagazau is the Executive Vice President, Downstream at NNPC Limited and a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience in the private sector. He has built a distinguished career across multiple industries, including oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, and real estate. Known for his expertise in strategic execution, operational optimization, and risk management, Dr. Dagazau has held top executive and consulting roles at leading organizations such as M.R.S Oil and Gas Limited, A.A Rano, and OVH Energy Limited. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven the successful launch and management of diverse business ventures, further demonstrating his versatility and business acumen. His academic background includes studies at Valley Forge Military Academy in the United States, as well as Kensington College of Business and the London School of Business & Finance in the United Kingdom, where he earned certifications in Strategic Leadership and Change Management. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the Swiss School of Business and Management in Geneva and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute (UK). Dr. Dagazau has completed specialized training in management consulting, strategic leadership, and project management, reinforcing his capabilities as a transformative leader. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys golf and polo and is also a certified helicopter pilot, reflecting his passion for challenge, precision, and continuous learning.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

14:30

Downstream & Chemical ICC Hall B 14:30 - 15:10

The future of refining: decarbonisation, demand disruption, and strategic direction

The refining industry is navigating a transitional grey zone, facing mounting pressure to decarbonise, shifting fuel demand, and sustained margin pressures. While some operators are advancing with low-carbon fuel production, carbon capture, and process upgrades, others are reassessing timelines in light of policy uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, and fluctuating economic signals. At the same time, deeper structural questions are emerging: how will overcapacity, evolving product demand, and regional competitiveness reshape the long-term role of refining? For many, chemical integration or diversification into low-carbon fuels and materials offer potential paths forward, while others are weighing consolidation, rationalisation, or strategic repositioning. Strategic divergence is intensifying due to uneven access to capital, regulatory divergence between major markets, and broader uncertainties in global trade and investment flows. As a result, refining leaders must balance short-term operational decisions while also reevaluating the viability of existing assets and the investment logic of long-term infrastructure commitments. Finding clarity in this grey zone will be critical to ensuring both resilience and relevance in the years ahead.

Attendee insights:

Gain perspective on how refining strategies are evolving to balance decarbonisation targets with structural market pressures, including overcapacity, shifting demand, and long-term competitiveness.