The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has expressed concern over the recent price cuts by Dangote Refinery, stating that such moves are unpatriotic and could worsen fuel costs for ordinary Nigerians. The Association’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, noted that the refinery’s price cuts, which ignored timing and market impact, have created price shocks that undermine competition and impose financial strain on fellow market participants.
The warning followed the latest reduction in gantry price by the Refinery to N820 per litre, with varying retail prices across different states. DAPPMAN argued that these reductions were strategically timed to undermine other importers and create an uneven playing field. The Association also raised concerns over the refinery’s practice of offering lower prices to international buyers while quoting higher rates to local off-takers, which contradicts public-facing claims of prioritising Nigerians.
DAPPMAN further clarified that the notion that Nigeria’s downstream stability rests solely on one refinery is misleading and dismissive of the broader ecosystem. While welcoming the Dangote Refinery as a major infrastructure project, the Association noted that its contribution has peaked at only 30 to 35 per cent of national demand, with the balance being supplied by responsible petroleum product marketers, including DAPPMAN members.
The Association rejected allegations that its members sell substandard products to consumers, stating that all imports are subject to independent, regulator-accredited laboratory testing in accordance with Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) protocols and global quality standards. DAPPMAN also disputed the claim that the refinery offers “free delivery” to buyers, highlighting that marketers are required to lift at least 25 per cent of their allocations directly from the refinery gantry and must do so using only Dangote-owned trucks, paying commercial rates based on their destination.
DAPPMAN agreed that the Refinery is a valuable contributor to the economy but emphasized that it is not the downstream saviour. The Association cautioned against narratives that monopolise credit, shift blame, or undermine the confidence of investors, partners, and the public. Instead, DAPPMAN reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of competition, transparency, and collaboration in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, calling on all parties to engage constructively and communicate responsibly.
