Nigeria’s petrol market is facing renewed turmoil as pump prices climb to around ₦1,000 per litre across major cities, following disruptions in supply from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and price hikes by private depot operators.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) officials say the latest surge is tied to production setbacks at the refinery, which has temporarily slowed operations. The group confirmed that some members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) are preparing to import petrol independently to ease the pressure on supply and stabilise prices.
IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, said increased competition from private importers could help reduce prices in the coming weeks. “Once there’s more competition in the market, prices will naturally adjust downward,” he said.
Over the past week, petrol prices have jumped from around ₦865 to between ₦920 and ₦955 per litre, while some filling stations in Lagos, Abuja, and Sokoto are now selling as high as ₦1,000 per litre. This comes despite earlier assurances that prices would drop to about ₦841 per litre under Dangote’s logistics-free supply programme.
Industry sources revealed that the refinery recently halted fuel loading due to maintenance issues, crude supply shortages, and the recent layoff of several hundred workers. The pause in operations has created a shortage, allowing depot owners to raise their ex-depot prices from about ₦830 to nearly ₦900 per litre.
According to PetroleumPrice.com, depots like Matrix, Fynefield, and Liquid Bulk now sell petrol between ₦885 and ₦900 per litre, forcing retail outlets — including NNPC stations — to increase pump prices.
IPMAN President, Abubakar Shettima, said depot owners took advantage of the supply gap when Dangote temporarily stopped selling to marketers. “Once the refinery resumes full loading, prices will definitely come down again,” he said.
Energy analysts warn that the surge could further drive up transportation, food, and manufacturing costs, worsening inflation already felt by households. Jeremiah Olatide, CEO of PetroleumPrice.ng, said the refinery’s operational challenges have disrupted nationwide distribution.
“The refinery is only loading its own and MRS trucks, leaving independent marketers stranded,” Olatide explained. “Crude shortages and the sacking of about 800 staff have compounded the situation.”
In Sokoto, fuel now sells between ₦960 and ₦1,050 per litre, with long queues forming at the few stations still open. Residents report that NNPC outlets have remained shut for several days, forcing motorists to scramble for fuel.
As the Dangote refinery works to restore operations, Nigerians continue to endure one of the steepest fuel price hikes since deregulation — a situation experts say may persist until domestic refining and supply fully stabilise.
