Petrol depot prices in major supply hubs have climbed as high as ₦1,349 per litre, while Dangote Petroleum Refinery has kept its ex-gantry rate at ₦1,210 leaving a gap of ₦113 to ₦139 per litre under wholesale depot quotations.
Data from the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), released on 27 October 2026, showed depot prices ranging from ₦1,323 to ₦1,349 across Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt. The spread comes as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) tightens conditions for petroleum product imports, a move that could reshape how marketers source Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Depot Prices Across Key Hubs
In Lagos, depots quoted between ₦1,323 and ₦1,340 per litre. Warri was the most expensive range, at ₦1,340 to ₦1,349. Calabar stood at ₦1,335 to ₦1,340, while Port Harcourt ranged from ₦1,332 to ₦1,340.
Dangote’s ₦1,210 ex-gantry price sits well below those levels. For marketers lifting large volumes, the difference can add up to significant savings before transport and distribution costs are added. Whether that advantage holds depends on logistics, loading terms and where the product is delivered.
Tighter Rules on Imports
NMDPRA has introduced stricter requirements for marketers seeking approval to import petroleum products. The policy could reduce import volumes and increase reliance on domestic refining, depending on how it is enforced and how much local supply is available.
Import-dependent operators may need to rethink procurement. Industry watchers expect more competition among suppliers as marketers weigh Dangote’s refinery price against other wholesale sources, factoring in transport costs, product availability and delivery times.
Impact on Pump Prices
A lower ex-gantry rate does not automatically mean cheaper fuel at the pump. Marketers still have to cover transport, distribution and other operating costs, so depot or refinery prices do not pass through one-for-one to filling stations.
Stronger competition on the wholesale side could eventually create room for lower retail prices, but that will depend on stable supply, distribution costs, exchange rates and whether competing suppliers can keep offering attractive wholesale rates.
Separately, MEMAN data showed compressed natural gas (CNG) priced between ₦380 and ₦500 per standard cubic metre, giving some motorists an alternative as concerns over petrol affordability continue. PMS remains the main fuel in the current depot price comparisons.
