Dangote Petroleum Refinery has launched a groundbreaking free fuel delivery program in partnership with major Nigerian petroleum marketers, including Conoil PLC, Eterna PLC, Golden Super, Nepal Energies, Kifayat Global Energy, and Riquest and Gas. The initiative aims to reduce logistics costs for filling stations and drive down fuel prices for consumers nationwide.

Under the scheme, refined petrol from Dangote’s 650,000-barrel-per-day Lekki refinery will be transported at no cost to participating stations and bulk buyers. Over 1,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks have been deployed to ensure seamless delivery.

The program is initially available in 11 states—Lagos, Ekiti, Abuja, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo—with plans for expansion. Filling station owners are encouraged to register early to secure direct supply and avoid delivery fees that often increase retail fuel prices.

However, the initiative has drawn criticism from the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). Its president, Yusuf Othman, warned that free deliveries threaten existing agreements between his members and fuel buyers, leaving transport operators at a disadvantage. NARTO members, who operate up to 30,000 trucks, rely on these contracts for financing their fleet and cannot provide delivery services for free.

Despite these concerns, bulk fuel consumers and filling stations are increasingly bypassing middlemen to take advantage of Dangote’s direct delivery program, signaling a significant shift in Nigeria’s fuel distribution landscape.

The free delivery scheme is seen as a major move by Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reduce operational costs for marketers while making fuel more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.