The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has raised concerns over recent petrol price cuts by Dangote Refinery, warning that the moves are destabilizing the downstream sector and could worsen fuel costs for Nigerians already struggling under a fragile post-deregulation economy.
In a statement on Saturday, DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, described the pricing strategy as “unpatriotic,” stressing that it undermines competition and places local businesses at risk.
Dangote Refinery recently reduced its gantry price to N820 per litre, with pump prices now ranging from N841 per litre in Lagos and South-West states to N851 per litre in Abuja, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Kwara.
According to DAPPMAN, these cuts are often introduced when other importers have active cargoes en route or in storage, creating sudden price shocks that impose financial strain on market participants, including Dangote’s own domestic off-takers.
“Even more concerning is the refinery’s pattern of offering lower prices to international buyers while quoting higher rates to local customers,” the statement noted, adding that such practices contradict public claims of prioritizing Nigerians.
The Association also expressed alarm over escalating tensions between Dangote Refinery and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), warning of reputational and economic risks.
DAPPMAN further rejected the narrative that Nigeria’s downstream stability rests solely on one refinery. “Dangote currently accounts for only 30 to 35 percent of national demand. The balance continues to be supplied by responsible marketers, including DAPPMAN members, who operate under strict oversight by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).”
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The group highlighted its decades-long contributions, including investments in depots, trucking fleets, and retail networks that ensured uninterrupted nationwide supply through forex crises, subsidy transitions, and security challenges.
DAPPMAN also dismissed allegations of substandard imports, stressing that all products undergo regulator-accredited laboratory testing. It accused Dangote Refinery of previously seeking waivers to distribute fuel with sulphur levels above approved limits, calling into question its consistency on quality claims.
“Nigeria’s petroleum market is highly regulated and aligned with global standards,” the statement concluded. “Attempts to discredit other compliant players are both unfair and inaccurate.”