The Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has appealed for solidarity and collaboration among all participants in the downstream oil and gas industry. The association specifically urged the Dangote Refinery and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to move beyond their current disputes for the sake of Nigeria’s refining future.
In a statement released in Lagos on Thursday and signed by CORAN’s Chairman, Mr. Momoh Oyarekhua, the association addressed the ongoing friction between these key players.
The discord between Dangote Refinery and DAPPMAN stems from disagreements over pricing policies, supply chain arrangements, and the overall market framework. While DAPPMAN, representing depot owners and petroleum marketers, has expressed worries about product availability and fair competition, the Dangote Refinery insists on the need for domestic refining operations to stabilize without external interference.
CORAN highlighted that the public nature of these disputes has ignited heated debates that threaten to divide the industry at a critical juncture when unity is essential.
According to CORAN, “We are deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict between Dangote Refinery and DAPPMAN. Although competition is natural in any market, this discord risks overshadowing a more pressing issue: Nigeria stands on the threshold of a refining transformation that must not be hindered by narrow interests or outdated mindsets.
“For many years, Nigeria has faced the paradox of being Africa’s top crude oil producer while relying heavily on imported refined petroleum products. This reliance has drained valuable foreign currency reserves, enriched foreign refiners, and entrenched middlemen in the supply chain. However, with the launch of major projects like the Dangote Refinery and several modular refineries nationwide, the vision of domestic refining self-sufficiency is becoming a reality.
“This development marks the beginning of a new economic era for Nigeria. It is crucial for all stakeholders, especially DAPPMAN members and tank farm operators, to understand the fundamental shifts occurring in the energy sector. The emergence of local refining challenges the traditional import-dependent business model that has supported depots and bulk marketers for decades. Instead of viewing this as a threat, CORAN encourages these operators to collaborate with domestic refineries to maintain their relevance in this evolving landscape.
“Refineries, whether large-scale or modular, cannot operate effectively in isolation. They depend on efficient logistics, storage, and distribution networks-areas where DAPPMAN members play an indispensable role. By adapting their operations to focus on logistics, regional distribution, storage, and last-mile delivery, tank farm owners can reinvent their businesses to complement domestic refining efforts. CORAN acknowledges the vital role both parties have played: DAPPMAN operators have kept the fuel supply flowing through years of import dependence, overcoming numerous challenges.
“Simultaneously, the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refiners symbolize a strategic move toward energy independence, reduced foreign exchange outflows, and job creation. Both sides have made sacrifices for the nation’s benefit and deserve recognition. What Nigeria cannot afford is for vested interests to derail the ongoing refining revolution. The way forward is clear: cooperation, not conflict.
“Refineries require marketers, and marketers need a steady domestic supply. This partnership can enhance efficiency, stabilize prices, and provide affordable energy to Nigerians. CORAN therefore calls for open dialogue, collaboration, and integration across the downstream sector to ensure all stakeholders progress together. Nigeria must seize this historic opportunity. The refining industry should be nurtured as a catalyst for economic growth-not undermined by rivalry.”
The association also paid tribute to the historical contributions of both Dangote Refinery and DAPPMAN, urging all parties to exercise restraint for the benefit of the nation’s citizens and economy. CORAN emphasized that this period marks a pivotal chapter in Nigeria’s resilience, as refining capacity is restored within the country’s borders, and that the sacrifices made by all stakeholders warrant appreciation.
