Refinery Plc has dismissed claims suggesting its pricing policies favour MRS Oil Nigeria Plc or distort competition in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market. The company affirmed that all marketers purchase products under the same terms at the refinery gate, stressing a fully deregulated, competitive market.
David Bird, the refinery’s newly appointed Managing Director, addressed the concerns on Wednesday at the company’s Lagos complex. His statement comes amid speculation surrounding MRS’s retail petrol price of ₦739 per litre, which some critics claimed reflected preferential treatment.
Equal Pricing for All Marketers
Bird emphasised that Dangote Refinery does not dictate retail prices, nor does it grant any preferential pricing to individual marketers. “I can’t comment on retail pricing. All I can assure you is that there is zero preferential pricing. Every truck that leaves this site has purchased a product at ₦699 ex-gate. There is no differentiation among customers,” he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s deregulated downstream market, Bird added: “Marketers have full autonomy to determine retail prices based on their individual cost structures, operating strategies, and customer choices. Consumers ultimately decide where to purchase fuel, whether based on convenience, brand loyalty, or proximity.”
Supply Capacity and Operational Stability
On MRS’s operations, Bird stressed that pricing advantages do not exist. Decisions regarding product lifting and distribution are strictly commercial, guided by regulatory compliance and product quality standards. “Consumers can be assured that the petrol purchased at any station meets the same quality benchmark,” he said.
The Managing Director also provided clarity on the refinery’s supply capabilities, noting a daily production of approximately 50 million litres. “Despite market volatility caused by pricing adjustments and currency fluctuations, the refinery remains capable of meeting domestic fuel demand. There has been no disruption to operations,” he added.
Bird further expressed confidence that stabilised, affordable fuel prices would encourage consumption growth. “Abundant, high-quality fuel at competitive prices will bring stability. We have positioned ourselves to meet demand growth over the next three years, and after we expand, we will produce more than enough to meet national requirements.”
Reinforcing Transparency and Trust
In closing, Bird addressed rumours of operational disruptions, confirming that the refinery continues to deliver consistent volumes daily. “Whenever offtake has required it, marketers have been able to lift those volumes,” he said, reiterating the company’s commitment to transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s downstream market.
Dangote Refinery’s clarification reinforces the integrity of Nigeria’s largest privately-owned refining complex and its role in stabilising fuel supply while supporting a competitive petroleum market.