Petroleum marketers in Abuja are counting down to the arrival of petrol and diesel from the Dangote Refinery, hoping the rollout will ease scarcity and reset the downstream market.
Stations shut, waiting for trucks
For the fourth consecutive day, major outlets such as MRS and Conoil have kept their stations shut. Managers explained that they ran out of stock last week and are now waiting for Dangote’s trucks to deliver.
“We expect products from Tuesday. By Wednesday, supply should start arriving,” a Conoil manager told news men.
Marketers place high hopes on Dangote
Marketers believe Dangote’s direct-to-station supply model could break import dependence and cut off middlemen who inflate prices. Recently, the refinery named Conoil, Eternal Super, Nepal Energies, Riquest & Gas, and others as partners in its distribution chain. This announcement, industry players argue, signals a new phase for Nigeria’s fuel market.
Transitioning into a new downstream era
Despite initial hiccups, industry leaders insist the refinery’s impact will be felt soon. Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), urged Dangote to open its doors wider to collaboration.
“The refinery has the strength to reshape market dynamics. If it works with other players, Nigerians will finally see stable prices and steady supply,” he said.
Scarcity drives anticipation
Currently, petrol sells at ₦865 in Lagos and about ₦920 in Abuja, forcing motorists into long queues. As scarcity bites harder, anticipation grows. Retailers and consumers alike are looking to Dangote’s first round of deliveries as the lifeline that could steady the market.
For many, the question is no longer if but when Dangote fuel will finally flow across Nigeria’s pumps.