The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has expressed strong opposition to the Dangote Refinery’s recent initiative to lower petrol prices, cautioning that such a move could disrupt the stability of the fuel market.
Recently, the private refinery declared that starting Monday, September 15, petrol prices would drop to N841 per litre in Lagos and the South-West regions, and N851 in Abuja, Edo, and Kwara states, down from the previous N865.
This price adjustment is set to coincide with the introduction of the refinery’s direct fuel distribution program.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, criticized the refinery’s repeated price reductions, arguing that framing these cuts as acts of patriotism overlooks their timing and the broader consequences for other market players.
“The narrative that Dangote Refinery’s frequent fuel price cuts are patriotic overlooks the strategic timing and the resulting market disturbances. These reductions often occur when other importers have active shipments either en route or stored, causing sudden price fluctuations that disrupt fair competition and place financial pressure on other stakeholders, including the refinery’s own local customers,” Adewole explained.
He also accused the refinery of selling fuel at lower prices to international clients while charging higher rates domestically, a practice he said contradicts the refinery’s public commitment to prioritizing Nigerian consumers.
“More troubling is the refinery’s tendency to offer discounted prices to foreign buyers while imposing steeper charges on local purchasers. This approach conflicts with their public assertions of putting Nigerians first and unfairly burdens domestic businesses already operating on narrow profit margins,” he added.
Regarding the ongoing conflict between the refinery and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Adewole expressed DAPPMAN’s concern over the escalating tensions.
“Although this dispute does not directly involve our Association, we are deeply troubled by the aggressive tone and the potential fallout. Beyond damaging the reputations of those involved, we worry about the adverse effects on everyday Nigerians, especially as the downstream sector continues to find its footing after deregulation,” he stated.
Adewole emphasized that it is inaccurate to claim that the stability of Nigeria’s downstream fuel sector hinges solely on the Dangote Refinery.
“While we acknowledge the Dangote Refinery as a significant infrastructure achievement, its output currently meets only about 30 to 35 percent of the nation’s fuel demand. The remainder is reliably supplied by responsible petroleum marketers, including DAPPMAN members, who import and distribute products under the stringent supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),” he noted.
He highlighted that for many years, DAPPMAN members have ensured consistent fuel supply nationwide by investing heavily in storage depots, transportation fleets, retail outlets, and logistics networks, even amid challenges such as foreign exchange volatility, subsidy reforms, security issues, and economic downturns.
“These efforts deserve acknowledgment rather than dismissal. We firmly reject any claims that DAPPMAN members deal in inferior petroleum products. All imports undergo rigorous, independent testing accredited by regulators, adhering strictly to NMDPRA standards and international quality benchmarks,” the statement concluded.
