The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called on the Dangote Refinery to embrace inclusivity by adopting an open-door supply policy that gives marketers fair access to petroleum products at competitive prices.
DAPPMAN Seeks Collaboration, Not Confrontation
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, DAPPMAN spokesperson Ikem Ohia stressed that the association’s demand is rooted in partnership, not rivalry. He clarified that contrary to public speculation, the marketers are not at war with Dangote. Instead, they want collaboration that guarantees steady supply, ends fuel queues, and ensures Nigerians enjoy price stability.
“Our core interest is simple: petroleum products must be available consistently, at reasonable prices, so Nigerians no longer queue endlessly at filling stations,” Ohia explained.
Pricing and Access Remain Core Concerns
While acknowledging Dangote Refinery’s central role as the dominant supplier in the downstream market, Ohia highlighted pricing and access as the critical sticking points. He posed the pressing question: “At what price are products offered to us, and do we genuinely have access to purchase from him?”
According to him, marketers have for decades invested in distribution infrastructure. With depots in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Lagos, DAPPMAN members have the network to efficiently move petroleum products nationwide.
“What we are asking Dangote to do is simple: make use of these depots already in existence so that Nigerians can be adequately served,” he said.
Beyond Subsidy: A Commercial Dialogue
Dispelling suggestions that marketers are lobbying for government subsidies, Ohia stressed that the issue is entirely commercial. “We are businessmen; Dangote is also a businessman. Nobody is asking for subsidies. We are negotiating strictly on commercial grounds to see how he can bridge the gap,” he said.
He further explained that globally, refineries operate two supply models: bulk lifting through vessels and ex-gantry retail sales. Bulk evacuation, he argued, is critical for sustaining refinery operations and meeting national demand. Sole reliance on gantry trucks, even with Dangote’s 4,000 CNG-powered fleet, cannot bridge the gap.
Dangote’s Controlled Partnerships Raise Questions
DAPPMAN insists it sought partnership with Dangote long before production started, yet the refinery appears to prefer working with a handful of selected partners. While a few DAPPMAN members benefit, Ohia believes a more transparent system would better serve the country.
“Figures don’t lie. Whatever supply Dangote provides at the moment still falls short of national consumption. Bulk deliveries to depots are necessary if the industry must meet demand,” he maintained.
Otedola Wades Into the Debate
The debate over supply dynamics has widened. On Tuesday, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola urged the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to adapt to shifting market realities rather than “resist progress.” Speaking also on The Morning Brief, Otedola advised the association to consider restructuring and even explore acquiring the Port Harcourt Refinery to strengthen its downstream relevance.
PETROAN: Trucks Alone Can’t Solve the Problem
Also weighing in, Billy Gilly-Harris, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), argued that Dangote’s 4,000 CNG-powered trucks alone cannot guarantee efficiency. He maintained that Nigeria’s fuel demand requires a hybrid model that combines trucking with bulk depot evacuations to achieve true nationwide coverage.
A Sector at a Crossroads
The current rift between the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and Dangote underscores a deeper structural tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector: the balance between market dominance and inclusivity. Analysts say that while Dangote Refinery’s entry has reshaped the supply landscape, sustainable success will depend on striking the right balance between competitive pricing, open access, and efficient distribution.
For now, all eyes remain on whether Dangote and DAPPMAN can find common ground—because at the end of the day, the Nigerian consumer is the one who bears the brunt of inefficiency in supply.