According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the plan follows a strategic meeting between the refinery and key players in the sector aimed at improving fuel availability, eliminating price speculation, and reducing the role of middlemen in the supply chain.
Speaking on Thursday, IPMAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, said the Dangote Refinery had selected 20 major marketers as primary distributors who will lift a minimum of two million litres each month.
“At the meeting, Dangote announced plans to sell directly to 20 selected marketers who will serve as primary distributors to other dealers. Each of them will lift at least two million litres monthly, translating to about 600 million litres overall,” Ukadike said.
He explained that the move is designed to restore efficiency in petrol distribution, improve supply reliability, and gradually bring down retail prices that have soared in recent weeks. “We believe that once this structure takes effect, petrol availability will improve significantly and retail prices will start to ease,” he added.
IPMAN’s National Vice President, Hammed Fashola, also confirmed the development, noting that while the list of approved marketers had been compiled, it had yet to be officially released.
Despite this assurance, fuel prices in parts of the country — especially in the Federal Capital Territory — continue to rise amid tight supply conditions. Checks showed that Optima Energy raised its pump price from ₦945 to ₦955 per litre, while A.A. Rano and A.Y.M. Shafa sold at ₦945 and ₦940 per litre respectively.
Independent marketers have blamed the persistent increases on supply bottlenecks, inconsistent depot pricing, and delays in product loading from the refinery. In some major cities, petrol prices have reportedly breached the ₦1,000 per litre mark, reflecting deepening pressure in the retail market.
Reacting to the situation, IPMAN President Abubakar Shettima accused depot owners, under the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), of exploiting temporary supply gaps. He claimed they raised ex-depot prices after noticing that Dangote Refinery had paused fuel loading for several days.
“These DAPPMAN people are the only ones selling the product now. But probably Dangote will start loading again soon — once that happens, prices will come down,” Shettima said. “Dangote has not been selling for a few days, and depot owners took advantage of that to increase their prices. But this is temporary; things will normalise soon.”
Diesel Price Cut Offers Relief
In a related development, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has announced a ₦50 reduction in the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), lowering the gantry price from ₦960 to ₦910 per litre, effective October 15, 2025.
The refinery disclosed this in a circular issued by its Group Commercial Operations Department titled “AGO Gantry Price Reduction.”
The notice, addressed to customers, read:
“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the gantry price for Automotive Gas Oil has been revised from ₦960/Litre to ₦910/Litre, effective October 15th, 2025. Thank you for your continued support.”
Industry stakeholders say the diesel price cut will bring relief to transporters, manufacturers, and other industrial users struggling with high operating costs.
Analysts also expect the refinery’s planned petrol release to ease scarcity, calm retail prices, and stabilise market supply in the coming weeks — provided the distribution framework is implemented efficiently and transparently.