The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has dismissed claims that substandard petrol is being sold in Nigeria. He described the allegations as “unfortunate drama” and a poor marketing tactic aimed at misleading the public.
Speaking at the 60th Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) conference in Abuja, Kyari insisted that the country has no issues with the quality of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
“The talk around fuel quality is just drama and bad marketing. It’s like entertainment, but unfortunately, it’s misleading people,” Kyari said.
No Two Countries Have the Same Fuel Standards
According to him, petrol quality varies from country to country, and no two nations follow the same standards. He explained that in Europe, a fuel additive called oxygenate is required to prevent fuel from solidifying in car tanks. However, if the same additive is used in Nigeria, it turns into water when exposed to air.
“What is legally required in one country may be banned in another. Here in Nigeria, we have regulatory bodies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) that ensure all petroleum products meet the required standards before entering the country,” he said.
Kyari emphasised that these agencies are actively monitoring fuel quality, and none of them have reported any issues.
Legal Action Against Misinformation
NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, also confirmed that the company is taking legal and security measures against individuals spreading false claims about fuel quality.
Kyari warned that such misinformation not only damages NNPCL’s reputation but also paints Nigeria in a bad light.
“People have their frustrations, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to spread lies. Business and public trust should not be based on falsehood,” he stated.
NNPCL Did Not Import Fuel in 2025
Addressing claims that NNPCL imported 200 million litres of fuel in February 2025, Kyari described the reports as “pure lies.”
“We didn’t import any fuel within the period mentioned. Linking this fake importation to low-quality fuel is baseless and misleading,” he said.
Kyari explained that fuel importation is a normal global practice, even among oil-rich nations.
“Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite having refineries, still import petroleum products. It’s not a sign of weakness but a business and supply strategy,” he added.
Call for Innovation in Nigeria’s Natural Resources
Earlier at the conference, Kyari encouraged members of the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) to embrace new technologies and continuously improve their methods. He said this is crucial for maximising Nigeria’s natural resources and boosting revenue generation.
The NMGS conference, themed “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovation”, focused on ways to reform Nigeria’s mining sector and increase public awareness of geoscience’s role in national development.
With Kyari’s reassurances, Nigerians will be watching closely to see if fuel quality concerns persist or if this was indeed just a case of misinformation.