MRS filling stations, backed by Dangote Refinery, have implemented a nationwide increase in petrol pump prices, elevating the retail cost to N1,267 per liter in Abuja. This adjustment follows Dangote Refinery’s own increase of its gantry price by N100 to N1,175 per liter the previous Friday. The move by MRS mirrors the refinery’s price hike exactly, transferring the cost directly to the consumer.
According to a station manager who spoke on condition of anonymity, the price revision is a direct response to the increased ex-depot price from Dangote Refinery. This trend is not isolated; Optima Filling Station also raised its rates by N50 to N1,270 per liter in the same period. In contrast, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) continues to sell petrol at N1,261 per liter, remaining slightly cheaper than both MRS and Optima.
A survey by Media Talk Africa on Tuesday indicated that other major marketers, including AA Rano, NIPCO, Eterna, Mobil, Empire Energy, and Raniol, are dispensing petrol between N1,270 and N1,330 per liter in Abuja and surrounding areas. The price adjustments occur amid persistent volatility in the global crude oil market. As of Tuesday, Brent crude was priced at $97.39 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate stood at $103.70 per barrel. This upward pressure on crude costs is linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the escalation of the Iran-United States-Israel conflict since late February.
The shift represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, as prices from the country’s largest private refinery now directly dictate retail rates at affiliated outlets. For consumers, the change narrows the historical price gap between independent marketers and the state-owned NNPCL, highlighting the growing influence of the domestic refinery on the downstream sector. The continuation of elevated global oil prices suggests that further adjustments may be likely, keeping fuel costs a critical issue for inflation and household expenditure.
