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DANGOTE REFINERY CUTS PETROL PRICE AGAIN, FORCES MARKET ADJUSTMENT

Dangote Refinery has reduced its petrol loading price for the third time in 2025, lowering it from N825 to N815 per litre. This move has intensified competition in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, with oil marketers responding swiftly by sourcing products directly from the refinery. “This is a welcome development,” said an independent marketer in Lagos. “It gives us a competitive edge and provides some relief to consumers.” Industry analysts predict that the N10 price drop may force private fuel depots to follow suit to maintain market share. Already, depot prices in Lagos have adjusted, now ranging between N820 and N839 per litre to stay competitive. The landing cost of imported petrol has also decreased, dropping to N774.72 per litre as of Tuesday. This trend has led to speculation that pump prices could fall to around N800 per litre, offering potential relief to consumers. A source within the industry noted, “If this trend continues, we might see further reductions in both depot and pump prices, bringing some stability to the market.” Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed the development, stating, “It is true. There is speculation that the price of importers’ products is now lower. That’s the reason for the price war.” Ukadike added, “It is the beauty of deregulation. Dangote has millions of litres and would not want any external force to take its market share. So, it would have forced price reduction.” Former Chairman of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) Adetunji Oyebanji emphasized the importance of competition in the industry, stating, “The only way to ensure that prices remain at the lowest level is to ensure very robust competition in the industry.” Oyebanji noted, “Prices are being forced down because imports are still being allowed to determine actual landing costs of gasoline.”

NNPC REDUCES PETROL PRICE TO N860 PER LITRE AMID PRICE WAR

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N860 per litre. This decision comes amid an intensifying price war among major marketers and independent petroleum dealers, as well as fluctuations in global crude oil prices. The new price, which took effect on Monday, marks a significant drop from the previous average of N920 per litre, offering relief to millions of Nigerians grappling with the high cost of living. The reduction by NNPC, the country’s largest fuel supplier, has sparked a wave of competitive pricing among private marketers. Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited had last week reduced the ex-depot price of petrol from N890 per litre to N825. The reduction marks the second price cut in February. Dangote, in a public notice on the price slash, announced three filling stations in Lagos, which included MRS: N860 per litre, AP: N865 per litre, and Heyden: N865 per litre, as its partner off-takers. While the price reduction has been welcomed by many, some Nigerians remain skeptical, questioning whether the drop is sustainable. “This is good news, but we hope it’s not just a temporary move to calm the public,” said Adeola Ogunleye, a commercial bus driver in Lagos. “Fuel prices have been too high for too long, and we need lasting solutions.”

NIGERIA IMPORTS 159,000 METRIC TONS OF PETROL DESPITE LOCAL PRODUCTION

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has imported 159,000 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between February 1 and February 12, 2025. This translates to approximately 213 million litres of petrol, according to a report tracking the movements of motor tanker vessels. The report’s breakdown shows that NNPCL received several cargoes of PMS, including two shipments of 37,000 metric tons each on February 10, totaling 99.2 million litres. Additionally, the company received a cargo of 20,000 metric tons of PMS on February 8, equivalent to 26.82 million litres, and another cargo of 37,000 metric tons on February 12, approximately 50 million litres. The imports were received at the Lagos ports, with an additional cargo of 20,000 metric tons of PMS received at the Calabar port on February 5. The data also reveals that NNPCL has imported 40,000 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in February, totaling over 40 million litres. This revelation comes amidst a legal dispute between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL, as well as major oil marketers, over the importation of refined petroleum products despite local production. Energy experts and policy analysts have expressed concern over the continued importation of petroleum products that exceed the permissible sulphur limit, despite a January 2025 deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to adopt cleaner fuels and vehicles. The experts noted that Nigeria spent over N407.4 billion to import 302.7 million litres of petrol and 104.8 million litres of diesel in the first 12 days of February, following an ongoing trend of imports that has seen the country spend over N5.5 trillion on petrol and diesel imports between October 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Other oil and gas retail and logistics companies also received shipments of both PMS and AGO. They include Rainoil, WOSBAB, MENJ, and FRADO, among others. According to information from a source, despite the January 2025 deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the adoption of cleaner fuels and vehicles to reduce air pollution across the region, Nigeria has continued to import petroleum products that exceed the permissible sulphur limit under this

DANGOTE REFINERY EXPLAINS RECENT FUEL PRICE ADJUSTMENT, ABSORBS 50% OF GLOBAL CRUDE OIL PRICE HIKE

World’s Petroleum refinery giant, Dangote Petroleum, has attributed the recent adjustment in its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the significant increase in global crude oil prices. The refinery consequently adjusted its ex-depot price from N899.50 to N950 per litre, representing a 5% increase. In a statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the increase is directly related to the fluctuation in global crude oil prices. “As crude remains the primary input in the production of PMS, any fluctuation in its international price inevitably impacts the cost of the finished product,” Chiejina said. The refinery noted that the 5% increase is considerably lower than the 15% rise in global crude oil prices, which has seen Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days, in addition to the premium for Nigerian crude (approximately $3 per barrel) in international markets. Chiejina added that Dangote Refinery has maintained the Single-Point Mooring (SPM) ex-vessel price at N895 per litre. He also stated that it has absorbed the increased logistics costs to guarantee uniform pricing across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to him, “Dangote Refinery has absorbed approximately 50% of the cost increases in the international oil market. This is due to our unwavering commitment to quality and affordability, as well as the ownership of the refinery by Nigerians, which remains central to our mission,” . Dangote refinery emphasized its commitment to providing reliable, top-quality petrol to Nigerians at competitive prices. “We are committed to providing reliable, top-quality petrol to the Nigerian people at competitive prices. In these challenging times, we continue to prioritise the best interests of Nigerians, striving to shield consumers from the full impact of global price volatility while adapting to evolving market conditions,” Chiejina stated. Chiejina also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the introduction of the Naira for Crude Initiative, which has enabled consistent access to high-quality PMS for all Nigerians, while also insulating Nigerian consumers from the volatility of the global oil market.

NNPCL REDUCES PETROL PRICE TO N965 IN ABUJA, N925 IN LAGOS

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced the pump price of petrol from N1,020 to N965 in Abuja and N925 in Lagos. This is the second time in two weeks that the national oil company has cut petrol prices nationwide, apparently in response to similar price adjustments by the Dangote refinery. According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the price adjustment demonstrates the benefits of deregulation in the petroleum sector, where market forces play a key role in determining prices. “With both Dangote and the federal government’s refineries poised to operate fully, we can anticipate more competitive pricing that will benefit consumers in the long term,” said IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Ukadike. MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil and gas industry, has also implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide. This follows an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets. “We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians,” said MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. Commuters have expressed their gratitude to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country. “I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria. The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate,” said Mrs. Ibukun Phillips, a commuter at the MRS station at Alapere. A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria. “This move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term,” he said.