The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has rejected continued importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), asserting that Dangote Refinery has sufficient capacity to meet the nation’s demand.
IPMAN distanced itself from reports linking November 2025 petrol import surges to breakdowns in supply agreements with Dangote Refinery, describing such claims as misleading and inaccurate. According to the association, the refinery’s commencement of supply has significantly improved product availability across the country.
“Our members fully support Dangote Refinery,” stated IPMAN National President Abubakar Maigandi Shettima. “Since supply began, marketers have consistently lifted products without complaints. We oppose imports because Dangote Refinery can satisfy Nigeria’s entire PMS demand.”
Shettima also commended the refinery’s direct-to-filling station delivery strategy, highlighting its critical role in stabilising distribution, easing access to fuel, and boosting confidence among independent marketers.
Dangote Clarifies Supply and Market Operations
Similarly, Dangote Petroleum Refinery dismissed media reports suggesting any collapse in supply agreements with marketers. The refinery emphasised that its supply framework is deliberately structured to meet growing domestic demand, improve competition, and ensure efficient market access.
According to the refinery, initial supply under the marketers’ arrangement started in October 2025 at 600 million litres of PMS, rising to 900 million litres in November and further expanded to 1.5 billion litres in December. Since December 16, 2025, daily loading volumes have ranged between 31 million and 48 million litres, reflecting market absorption and demand trends.
To improve distribution efficiency and broaden participation, Dangote Refinery reduced minimum purchase volumes from two million litres to 250,000 litres and introduced a 10-day credit facility backed by bank guarantees, enabling small and medium-sized operators to access locally refined products.
The refinery emphasised that its ex-gantry prices remain competitive, aligned with import parity indicators, and fully compliant with regulatory and quality standards. It also noted that the surge in imports in November was unrelated to refinery operations, but rather linked to import licensing approvals by the former NMDPRA leadership.
Domestic Refining as a Sustainable Solution
The developments underscore a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where local refining is increasingly positioned as the primary solution to supply stability and foreign exchange conservation.
Dangote Refinery reiterated its commitment to transparent operations, collaborative engagement with regulators, and supporting domestic refining growth, all aimed at moderating retail prices, strengthening energy security, and reducing reliance on imported fuel.
“The expanded access framework has driven higher utilisation of locally refined PMS and contributed to more competitive pricing for consumers,” the refinery stated, reaffirming its strategic role in shaping Nigeria’s downstream market.