For once, Nigerians crossed Christmas and New Year without the familiar anxiety of fuel scarcity, endless queues or panic buying. As families travelled, businesses stayed open and intercity transport flowed smoothly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has credited this rare festive calm largely to the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The group says the refinery’s growing influence in domestic fuel supply helped break a long-standing cycle of festive-season disruption that had become almost predictable in previous years.
Festive travel without fuel panic
In a statement issued on Friday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said Nigerians experienced an unusual sense of relief from Christmas 2025 through the first week of 2026, as fuel availability remained steady nationwide.
According to him, filling stations operated normally throughout the Yuletide, allowing motorists to access petrol and other products without difficulty. Long-distance travellers moved freely across states, commercial transport remained active, and economic activities continued uninterrupted.
“People travelled to their various destinations without fear of fuel shortages. Stations sold products seamlessly, and car owners experienced no glitches,” Akintola said.
He contrasted the experience with previous years when festive seasons were dominated by scarcity, hoarding and speculative pricing that crippled mobility and pushed up living costs.
Dangote refinery’s supply impact
MURIC linked the improved situation to increased local supply from the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, which has steadily altered Nigeria’s downstream dynamics by reducing dependence on imports and easing pressure on distribution chains.
Akintola recalled how past fuel shortages forced Nigerians to sleep at petrol stations, buy fuel at inflated black-market prices and store petrol dangerously in vehicles and homes. Those disruptions, he noted, often triggered sharp rises in transport fares and food prices during the holidays.
“The difference this time is clear. Dangote Refinery deserves our accolades,” he said.
Industry analysts agree that domestic refining capacity, even at partial utilisation, can improve supply predictability, dampen speculative behaviour and stabilise retail distribution—especially during periods of peak demand like festive seasons.
Price cuts strengthen market stability
The supply boost was further supported by Dangote Refinery’s petrol gantry price reduction in December 2025, when prices were cut from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre, representing about a 16 per cent decrease.
Market operators say the price cut encouraged higher offtake by marketers, improved product circulation and reduced pressure on filling stations nationwide. The move also helped stabilise availability at a time when demand typically surges.
MURIC urged the Federal Government to continue providing a secure and enabling operating environment for the refinery, stressing that sustained local refining remains critical to Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.
As Nigeria gradually rebalances its downstream sector, the 2025/2026 Yuletide may be remembered as an early sign of what consistent domestic refining could deliver—fewer disruptions, calmer markets and a more predictable fuel economy for everyday Nigerians.