Dangote Refinery has reduced its ex-depot price of petrol to N1,252 per litre, escalating the ongoing price battle in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
The adjustment follows aggressive price cuts by several private depot operators, including MRS, A.A. Rano, African Terminal, and Integrated, who recently lowered their rates to N1,250 per litre, going below the refinery’s previous price of N1,256.
Fresh Twist in Price War
The latest move marks another chapter in a fierce price competition that has gripped the market. Dangote Refinery had raised prices only last week after a brief reduction, citing elevated crude oil costs caused by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, as global crude prices began to ease, private depots moved first to slash rates, forcing the refinery to respond quickly.
Energy analyst Osas Igho believes more price reductions are on the horizon.
“It is a matter of time. Dangote Refinery will soon drop its ex-gantry price because the price war is real and intense,” he said.
Analysts expect declining international crude prices to create further room for competitive pricing, which could eventually benefit marketers and Nigerian consumers.
Lingering Import Dispute
The price war is playing out against the backdrop of a heated disagreement over fuel importation. Dangote Refinery has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government and selected marketers over the continued issuance of import licences, insisting that its facility has enough capacity to meet domestic demand.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that Dangote supplied 99% of Nigeria’s petrol needs in April 2026. Despite this, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) maintains that the refinery cannot single-handedly satisfy the country’s entire fuel consumption.
This dispute continues to shape the future direction of local refining and fuel supply in Nigeria.
As competition among players intensifies and global crude prices fluctuate, industry observers expect the price war to persist, with private depots already implementing cuts ranging from N1 to N22 per litre depending on location and volume. The coming weeks are likely to see further developments as market forces and operational realities continue to influence pricing strategies.
