Despite Dangote Refinery’s efforts to cut fuel costs by eliminating transportation expenses, petrol prices have remained unchanged across most filling stations in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Investigations over the weekend showed that many major distributors — including AP, Heyden, and Ardova — still sell petrol at an average of N865 per litre, even though they now receive supplies from the refinery at N820 per litre without added logistics costs.
A few exceptions were observed at some MRS outlets in Lagos, where the pump price dropped slightly to N841 per litre, drawing long queues of motorists eager to buy cheaper fuel. However, other stations, including MRS branches outside Lagos, still sell above the recommended prices, with some outlets in Ogun State charging as much as N875 per litre.
The Dangote Refinery had announced that with the rollout of over 1,000 CNG-powered trucks for direct distribution, pump prices were expected to reduce nationwide. Under the new framework, motorists in the Southwest were projected to pay around N841 per litre, while those in Abuja and the South-South could buy at N851 per litre.
Nearly three weeks later, these reductions have yet to reflect at most retail outlets. Some marketers claimed the delay was due to old stock purchased at higher rates, promising to adjust prices once the new supply reaches all stations.
However, sources at Dangote Refinery dispute this explanation, alleging that many marketers have already received cheaper supplies but refused to reduce pump prices. The refinery maintains that it cannot enforce prices under current market regulations, only recommend them.
Meanwhile, industry stakeholders remain divided over Dangote’s pricing strategy. The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) criticised the refinery for what it described as “disruptive price timing,” arguing that its frequent reductions destabilize the market and disadvantage other importers with existing cargoes.
For more than a year since it began operations, the Dangote Refinery has played a dominant role in setting market trends, effectively replacing the NNPC Limited as the main price influencer.
When contacted, NNPC spokesperson Andy Odeh confirmed that the company still sells petrol at N865 per litre in Lagos, with no adjustments made so far.
Although independent marketers earlier promised to review prices once they started receiving Dangote supplies, the expected cuts have not yet reached consumers — leaving motorists to bear the burden of high fuel costs despite a supposed nationwide relief plan.
