Oil marketers say Nigeria’s petrol supply is now largely coming from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with some insisting that fuel importation has effectively stopped as domestic supply stabilises.
Speaking to Nairametrics, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers are experiencing no shortages, even during peak demand periods, and that falling prices suggest stable supply. According to him, independent marketers are now buying petrol directly from Dangote Refinery, bypassing middlemen and benefiting from lower logistics costs.
Ukadike maintained that no marketer is currently importing petrol, adding that Dangote’s decision to open direct access to independent marketers has improved availability nationwide and enhanced competition.
However, some marketers disagree. Retail oil marketer Edwin Ogah said petrol importation is still ongoing, mainly to build stock buffers and prevent scarcity. He argued that while local refining capacity is growing, it is not yet sufficient to fully meet national demand, making imports necessary, especially during high-consumption periods.
Official data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that petrol imports rose sharply in November 2025. Dangote Refinery, however, dismissed claims that the increase was due to a breakdown in supply agreements, stating that it continues to operate at full capacity and supply over 50 million litres of petrol daily.
The refinery has also pledged to supply up to 1.5 billion litres of petrol monthly, reinforcing its role as a key stabilising force in Nigeria’s fuel market.
