The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has attributed the delay in Dangote Refinery’s nationwide fuel and diesel distribution rollout to the ongoing numbering of the company’s delivery trucks.

IPMAN National President, Abubakar Maigandi, told Daily Post on Friday that the refinery, which had planned to start distributing petroleum products across the country on August 15, 2025, has yet to implement the scheme because its trucks are still being numbered.

Dangote Refinery, capable of processing 650,000 barrels per day, had earlier announced that the distribution initiative would cost around N1.07 trillion annually. The refinery also confirmed receipt of its N720 billion compressed natural gas trucks, which are expected to support the program.

Maigandi assured that the distribution scheme would begin within a week once truck numbering is completed. He added that the initiative is likely to reduce fuel prices as marketers will no longer bear logistics costs.

“I spoke with the management; they are currently numbering the trucks. Once that is finished, the direct-to-customer distribution scheme will kick off in a week. This will help lower petrol prices, as marketers won’t have to cover transportation costs,” he said.

However, the plan has faced opposition from some industry groups, including the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, who argue that it could lead to significant job losses.