Oil marketers in Nigeria have dismissed reports that some filling stations are selling petrol cheaper than the N739 per litre offered at Dangote Petroleum Refinery-affiliated outlets. According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), claims of lower prices at other retail stations are largely speculative and do not reflect actual market conditions.
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, explained that MRS filling stations, which are linked to Dangote Petroleum Refinery, consistently see longer queues of motorists due to the lower prices. “If any other station were selling below N739, the queues would be even longer. Nigerians naturally flock to cheaper fuel,” Ukadike told Nairametrics.
While some independent retailers are temporarily reducing margins to retain customers, industry insiders warn that these price drops are neither widespread nor sustainable. Retail operator Edwin Ogah noted that logistics costs and operational challenges make selling below cost risky, even if some marketers attempt it to maintain market share.
The price cut by Dangote Petroleum Refinery—from N828 to N699 per litre at the gantry, and N739 at MRS retail stations—has raised discussions about quality and affordability. Ukadike and Ogah emphasized that locally refined petrol, such as that from Dangote, is generally of better and more consistent quality than imported fuel, burning cleaner and offering better engine performance.
Looking ahead, IPMAN predicts that the entry of other local refineries like BUA and NNPC could trigger price competition but not oversupply, as excess products may be exported to other African markets. Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has urged consumers to report any station selling above N739, warning against artificial scarcity while reinforcing its commitment to affordable fuel for Nigerians.
source: nairametrics