Dangote Refinery Faces Major Setbacks Over Marketers Move To Dump Its Fuel For Cheaper Imports

Dangote Refinery is facing a major setbacks over marketers move to dump its fuel for cheaper imports.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Nigeria’s much-celebrated Dangote Refinery is facing a major setback as petroleum marketers signal plans to abandon its petrol supply in favour of cheaper imported fuel, raising fresh concerns about the refinery’s pricing strategy and competitiveness.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed the development to DAILY POST on Friday, revealing that imported petrol now lands at ₦839.97 per litre, about ₦37 cheaper than the ₦877 per litre being charged by the Dangote Refinery.

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According to Ukadike, the price gap has made imported fuel a more attractive option for marketers struggling to maintain affordable pump prices amid economic hardship.

“It is due to the liberalisation of the sector, which has set the tune for a price war. Marketers now have the option to buy either at ₦877 per litre from Dangote Refinery or ₦839 with MEMAN.
The concern here is, why would a local refinery (Dangote) sell petrol higher than imported ones? Nigerians want cheaper fuel, and that’s what sells faster,” Ukadike said.

Industry data shows that other suppliers such as Emedab, Gulf Treasure, Ardova, and Bono are selling at ₦875 per litre, still lower than Dangote’s price.

This development comes as petrol continues to retail between ₦950 and ₦965 per litre at filling stations operated by NNPCL, MRS, Ranoil, Total, and Emedab across Abuja. Analysts warn that the ongoing price war could further erode Dangote Refinery’s market share unless it reviews its pricing model.

Critics have questioned why the locally owned refinery, which was expected to stabilize Nigeria’s fuel prices and end dependence on imports, is now selling at a higher rate than foreign suppliers.

Adding to the woes, previous reports revealed that marketers who paid billions of naira for fuel supplies from the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery have not received deliveries, citing operational setbacks and supply disruptions that have contributed to recurring fuel shortages nationwide.

Recent data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that Nigerians consumed over 613.6 million litres of petrol between 2024 and October 10, 2025; a demand the Dangote Refinery was expected to meet but has so far struggled to satisfy.

With marketers shifting allegiance to importers, experts warn that Dangote Refinery’s dominance in Nigeria’s oil market may be slipping before it even begins, casting doubt on its ability to deliver the promised energy independence and price relief.