Nigerian petroleum product marketers have announced plans to abandon Dangote Refinery’s petrol in favor of cheaper imported fuel. According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, the decision is driven by the recent drop in the landing cost of imported fuel to N839.97 per liter, which is N37 cheaper than Dangote Refinery’s gantry petrol price of N877 per liter.
The price disparity is a result of the liberalization and deregulation of the country’s downstream sector, which has set the stage for a price war among marketers. Ukadike noted that marketers now have the option to buy either from Dangote Refinery at N877 per liter or from other sources, such as MEMAN, at N839 per liter. He questioned why a local refinery like Dangote would sell petrol at a higher price than imported ones, emphasizing that marketers prioritize cheaper fuel as it sells faster.
As of Friday, ex-depot prices of other petroleum products, including Emedab, Gulf Treasure, Ardova, and Bono, stood at N875 per liter, while Dangote Refinery’s price remained at N877 per liter. At retail outlets in Abuja, petrol was being sold at between N950 and N965 per liter. The ongoing price war among operators in the sector may lead to a reduction in the current retail price in the coming days.
Recent data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that Nigerians consumed 613.6 million liters of petrol between 2024 and October 10, 2025. This development comes amid concerns over Dangote Refinery’s non-supply of petrol despite having received billions of naira in payments from marketers. The refinery has been experiencing a supply setback, resulting in a nationwide petrol shortage.
The decision by marketers to opt for cheaper imported fuel may have significant implications for the Nigerian petroleum industry. As the market continues to evolve, it is likely that the price of petrol will remain a key factor in determining the demand and supply dynamics of the industry. With the current price war among operators, Nigerian consumers may soon benefit from reduced retail prices, providing some relief from the high cost of petroleum products.