Independent petroleum marketers have called on the Federal Government to immediately halt petrol imports, insisting that Nigeria now has sufficient local capacity to meet its Premium Motor Spirit needs through the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria said the continued importation of petrol is unnecessary and economically harmful, especially at a time when domestic refining has begun to stabilise supply across the country. The association also dismissed reports claiming that increased petrol imports in November 2025 were caused by a supply breakdown between Dangote Refinery and marketers, describing such claims as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement, IPMAN National President, Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, said the commencement of petrol supply from Dangote Refinery has significantly improved product availability nationwide. He stressed that independent marketers have been receiving steady supplies since distribution began, without disruption.
Shettima said the association fully supports Dangote Refinery and strongly opposes further petrol imports, noting that the refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s entire PMS demand. He added that the decision by the refinery to supply fuel directly to filling stations would strengthen distribution, reduce middlemen challenges and ultimately protect consumers from artificial scarcity and price shocks.
According to him, access to locally refined petrol has eased pressure in the downstream sector and restored confidence among independent marketers who have long struggled with irregular imports and foreign exchange constraints. He described domestic refining as the most sustainable solution for Nigeria’s petroleum industry and a major step toward energy security.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery also reacted to the controversy, firmly rejecting allegations of a supply disruption. The refinery stated that no supply agreement with marketers had collapsed and insisted that operations have remained stable since the start of petrol distribution.
Read also:
- Dangote submits petitions against ex NMDPRA boss to EFCC
- Fuel Scarcity: Queues Resurface In Ibadan
- Fuel Subsidy Removal: NLC Plans National Protest February 1, 2022
The refinery explained that petrol supply to marketers began in October 2025 with 600 million litres, increased to 900 million litres in November and further expanded to 1.5 billion litres in December in response to rising demand. It disclosed that from December 16, 2025, daily loading has ranged between 31 million and 48 million litres, depending on market needs, figures it said are verifiable through official depot and loading records.
In a move to support smaller marketers and deepen market participation, Dangote Refinery announced that it had reduced the minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 250,000 litres. It also introduced a 10-day credit facility backed by bank guarantees to improve cash flow and reduce dependence on imported petrol.
The refinery dismissed claims that marketers stopped lifting petrol due to pricing issues, maintaining that its prices are competitive, transparent and in line with prevailing market realities.
Addressing the spike in petrol imports recorded in November 2025, Dangote Refinery explained that the development was linked to import licences issued by the previous leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. It stressed that the imports had no connection to its supply capacity or operational performance.
Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to steady supply, transparency and market stability, as calls grow louder for Nigeria to fully embrace locally refined fuel and end decades of petrol import dependence.
