The Dangote refinery has accused the former management of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA) of approving import licences that resulted in petrol imports exceeding domestic demand in November 2025.
There had been reports suggesting that petrol import volumes spiked during that period due to a pricing disagreement between marketers and the refinery, allegedly leading to a breakdown in their relationship.
In a statement issued on Friday by Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson of the refinery, the company dismissed claims that any supply agreement with marketers had collapsed.
Explaining the rise in petrol imports recorded in November, the refinery said the increase aligned with import permits granted by the former NMDPRA leadership, which “sanctioned volumes beyond prevailing domestic demand”.
The refinery stressed that the situation was unrelated to its production capacity or supply obligations.
It noted that its entry into the downstream sector was deliberately designed to meet growing demand while enhancing access, competition and operational efficiency.
According to the refinery, petrol supply to marketers began in October 2025 with an agreed offtake of 600 million litres. This was increased to 900 million litres in November and later expanded to 1.5 billion litres in December.
The refinery explained that these adjustments were made in response to market expansion and absorption capacity.
It further stated that following market liberalisation, petrol supply was opened to all qualified marketers, bulk buyers and filling station operators.
Since December 16, 2025, the refinery said it has consistently dispatched between 31 million and 48 million litres of petrol daily from its gantry, depending on market demand.
The refinery added that these figures are verifiable through depot and loading records maintained under regulatory oversight.
To widen participation and improve distribution efficiency, the refinery said it introduced measures such as reducing the minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 250,000 litres, as well as offering a 10-day credit facility backed by bank guarantees.
Dangote refinery also refuted claims that marketers pulled out over pricing issues, insisting that its ex-gantry prices are competitive, market-based, aligned with import parity benchmarks, and fully compliant with regulatory and quality requirements.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has opposed the continued importation of petrol into the country.
The association also dismissed reports linking the surge in petrol imports in November 2025 to a collapse in supply arrangements between Dangote refinery and petroleum marketers.
IPMAN said such reports do not reflect the experiences of its members.
Commenting on the matter, Abubakar Garima, IPMAN’s national president, said marketers fully support the refinery.
“Since supply began, marketers have consistently lifted products without any complaints,” he said.
“We oppose continued importation because Dangote Refinery has the capacity to meet the country’s entire PMS demand.”
Garima added that IPMAN members are satisfied with the consistency of supply and welcomed the refinery’s initiative to deliver products directly to filling stations.