The Digest:
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and oil marketers are locked in a pricing dispute amid escalating Middle East tensions, with data showing imported petrol is about N64 cheaper per litre than Dangote's product. MEMAN data indicates Dangote's gantry price stands at N874, while imported petrol landing cost is N809.37. However, Dangote officials dismissed the comparison, challenging importers to "go to Iran and import" if they can, accusing some of pushing a false narrative to keep import licences alive. The refinery emphasized its role in shielding Nigeria from the global fuel crisis, noting that without domestic refining, the country would face endless queues and paralyzed economic activities as seen in Britain, where panic buying has erupted. Dangote supplied 62% of Nigeria's petrol in January 2026, the first time domestic production exceeded imports. The refinery blamed local crude producers for refusing to supply feedstock under the PIA, forcing reliance on expensive imported crude priced at international rates. Experts urge the government to ramp up crude production to meet local demand.
Key Points
- The pricing dispute highlights tensions between domestic refining and import dependency.
- Dangote's 62% market share demonstrates growing self-sufficiency despite challenges.
- The refinery's crude supply complaints expose implementation gaps in the PIA.
- Britain's panic buying contrasts with Nigeria's stable supply, credited to Dangote.
- Experts call for increased crude production to support local refiners.
As Middle East conflict roils global oil markets, Dangote and marketers clash over pricing while the refinery's defenders argue it has saved Nigeria from the chaos engulfing other nations, a debate that cuts to the heart of Nigeria's energy independence.
Sources: Dangote Refinery, NMDPRA
