The Dangote Refinery has publicly disclosed its petrol pricing following claims from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) regarding fuel costs. The refinery clarified these prices to address recent conflicting reports on its pricing strategy compared to that of independent importers.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery confirmed that it sells petrol at N990 per liter to trucks and N960 per liter to ships. This announcement came in response to assertions by IPMAN and PETROAN that they could import petrol at a lower cost than Dangote’s offerings.
Chiejina refuted these claims, suggesting that any fuel sold below Dangote’s rates might be of substandard quality. "Our prices are benchmarked against international standards, ensuring that the quality and safety of our products align with global best practices. If anyone claims they can land PMS at a cheaper rate, it suggests they are likely dealing in substandard products, which jeopardizes the health of Nigerians and the integrity of their vehicles," the statement read. Chiejina added that regulatory bodies lack the facilities to test for such lower-quality imports, further intensifying concerns about product standards.
Highlighting the company’s commitment to competitive pricing, the statement explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) set a benchmark rate of N971 per liter for ships and N990 for trucks. Dangote Refinery’s rates, slightly lower at N960 per liter for ships, align with the goal of balancing affordability with product quality.
The refinery also expressed concerns about an international trading firm establishing a facility nearby to blend and distribute lower-quality fuel in competition with Dangote’s premium production. “This undermines domestic refining efforts, which are crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth,” the statement noted, calling for government protection of local industries similar to how Western countries impose tariffs to safeguard their sectors.
Chiejina urged the public to disregard what he termed "deliberate misinformation" aimed at undermining local production. He assured that the Dangote Refinery remains committed to providing high-quality, locally refined petroleum products to support Nigeria’s economy and reduce dependency on imports.
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