Oil marketers under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have said that while the Dangote Refinery remains a major milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector, fuel importation must continue to play a role in ensuring supply stability and price moderation.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he stressed that the country must avoid relying on a single source for petrol supply, regardless of its capacity.
His comments come as petrol prices surge above ₦1,200 per litre across several cities, driven by supply pressures linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The development has once again exposed the sensitivity of Nigeria’s fuel market to global disruptions.
Gillis-Harry acknowledged that the Dangote Refinery has significantly improved local supply and reduced the pressure on imports. However, he maintained that depending solely on one refinery creates a fragile system that could easily be disrupted.
“We celebrate Dangote Refinery. We are proud of what it represents for Nigeria,” he said. “But while we support local refining, we must also allow importation to continue so that the market remains competitive and stable.”
He explained that a liberalised downstream sector, where multiple suppliers can operate, will naturally drive competition and help bring down prices for consumers. According to him, affordability remains the most critical concern for Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs.
The PETROAN boss also addressed concerns about the quality of imported fuel, dismissing claims that opening the market would lead to substandard products. He pointed out that regulatory agencies, particularly the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have consistently enforced quality standards.
On policy direction, Gillis-Harry pushed back against external recommendations, including those from the World Bank, which recently called for deeper fuel importation reforms. He argued that Nigeria must chart its own course using local expertise and a clear understanding of its economic realities.
He further noted that PETROAN members already participate in fuel importation when licences are available and operate within regulatory guidelines, ensuring that only certified products are brought into the country.
Looking ahead, he called for a balanced approach that supports the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries, encourages private investments, and allows controlled importation to fill supply gaps.
For PETROAN, the message is straightforward: celebrating local refining achievements should not come at the expense of market flexibility. In a volatile global energy environment, maintaining multiple supply channels remains key to ensuring fuel availability and protecting Nigerian consumers from price shocks.