Dangote Refinery Plc has moved to debunk claims of preferential pricing in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, asserting that all marketers purchase petrol on equal commercial terms at the refinery gate.
In a media briefing at the refinery’s Lagos complex, Managing Director David Bird addressed concerns emerging from reports that some marketers, particularly MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, were receiving favourable pricing that could distort competition.
Bird clarified that the refinery operates under a fully deregulated market framework, and does not control the retail pump price of petrol. He stated that trucks departing the refinery pay the same ex-gate price for product regardless of the buyer, and that no marketer receives preferential access or pricing advantages.
The refinery chief explained that differences in retail pump prices across filling stations are determined by individual marketers based on their operating costs, location strategies, and market positioning, rather than any special arrangement with the refinery.
He also emphasised that consumers should feel confident about uniform fuel quality across stations, noting strong regulatory oversight. Dangote Refinery currently produces around 50 million litres of petrol daily, a level the company says is sufficient to satisfy national demand despite fluctuations in consumption patterns.
The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about petrol pricing and market competition, with stakeholders urging transparency and stability in Nigeria’s downstream fuel sector
