In less than three months since commencing operations, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has produced and distributed over 25 million liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, through independent marketers across Nigeria. This significant output has stabilized diesel prices and ensured a steady nationwide supply of the fuel.
As the refinery gears up for the highly anticipated rollout of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol into the local market by July, oil marketing associations are registering their members to facilitate the seamless distribution of the product. These include the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PPROOAN).
Ukadike Chinedu, IPMAN’s National Public Relations Officer, confirmed that IPMAN members have already distributed over 25 million liters of Dangote’s diesel across the country. “Independent marketers are registering with Dangote, and many of us have lifted a substantial volume of products from their depot,” he said.
Since the Dangote Refinery commenced domestic diesel sales in late March 2024, the fuel’s price has dropped from around N1,800 per liter to N1,200 per liter, with availability consistently maintained nationwide. Abubakar Maigandi, IPMAN’s National President, had previously stated that Dangote’s entry into the diesel market would drive prices down, as they had surged to about N1,700 per liter at the time.
While officials at the Dangote Refinery have remained tight-lipped on ongoing operations, marketers are eagerly anticipating the release of petrol, which is expected to significantly reduce prices. Ukadike stated, “Marketers are loading more products from the plant and are eager to begin the lifting of PMS from the refinery since the Chairman has said that PMS should hit the market in July.”
The Dangote Refinery’s domestic fuel production has been a game-changer for Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, alleviating supply shortages and price volatility. With the imminent petrol rollout, the refinery is poised to further bolster the nation’s energy security and potentially end the importation of petroleum products.