A fresh disagreement has emerged between fuel marketers and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the cost of petrol, following recent price increases linked to rising global crude oil prices amid tensions in the Middle East.
Data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria suggested that imported petrol could currently land in Nigeria at a lower price than the product supplied by the Dangote refinery.
According to the figures, the refinery’s ex-depot price stood at about ₦874 per litre, while the estimated landing cost of imported petrol was around ₦809 per litre, indicating a difference of roughly ₦64.
The refinery, however, dismissed the claim, accusing some importers of attempting to create a misleading narrative in order to sustain fuel import licences in the country.
Officials of the refinery challenged marketers to attempt importing petrol despite the ongoing geopolitical crisis affecting the global oil market.
The recent price adjustment followed a rise in crude oil prices, with the international benchmark climbing above $84 per barrel after escalating hostilities involving the United States, Iran, and Israel.
The increase pushed petrol prices across several Nigerian filling stations above ₦900 per litre, with some outlets selling as high as ₦937 depending on location.
Industry data also showed that diesel prices from the Dangote refinery were slightly higher than imported diesel, adding to the debate within the downstream petroleum sector.
Officials at the refinery maintained that the facility has helped Nigeria avoid a severe fuel crisis that could have disrupted commercial activities across the country during the current global supply tension.
They argued that without local refining capacity, Nigerians might have been facing long fuel queues and extreme price volatility as seen in some foreign markets.
Global supply concerns have already triggered panic buying in some countries, including the United Kingdom, where motorists reportedly rushed to petrol stations over fears of shortages.
Energy analysts say Nigeria’s situation is relatively stable because domestic refining has reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, domestic refineries led by the Dangote facility supplied about 40.1 million litres of petrol daily in January 2026.
The total national supply averaged roughly 64.9 million litres per day during the same period, meaning local production accounted for about 62 per cent of the country’s petrol supply.
Experts say the shift marks a significant change for Nigeria, which has historically relied heavily on imported fuel.
Meanwhile, the refinery also raised concerns about insufficient crude oil supply from local producers, saying it receives only a fraction of the cargoes required to operate at full capacity.
The company stated that although it purchases some crude from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in naira, the supply is far below what the refinery needs to meet domestic demand.
As a result, it has been forced to purchase additional crude from international traders at global market prices.
Energy experts have urged the Federal Government to increase crude oil production, improve security around oil facilities, and create a more stable operating environment for the industry.
They argue that boosting domestic oil output will strengthen local refining and help stabilise petrol prices in the long run.
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