Oil marketers have said petrol imports have largely stopped as supplies from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery stabilise the domestic market, though some operators insist limited imports are still ongoing for stock security.
Speaking in an interview, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, said independent marketers are currently sourcing petrol directly from Dangote Refinery, noting that product availability has improved significantly and prices are easing.
Ukadike said there has been no product shortage even during peak periods, adding that he does not believe petrol is being imported at the moment. According to him, the supply chain has remained stable, with Dangote Refinery opening direct access to independent marketers and reducing minimum loading volumes to make procurement easier.
He explained that the direct supply model has eliminated bottlenecks associated with multi-layer distribution, helping marketers access fuel more quickly and affordably. Ukadike added that further price reductions are expected as refinery operations stabilise and logistics costs fall.
However, another marketer, Edwin Ogah, disagreed, stating that petrol importation has not completely stopped. He said imports are still necessary to build buffer stocks and prevent scarcity, stressing that Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity has not yet fully met national demand.
Ogah noted that while Dangote Refinery has improved supply, the system remains sensitive to foreign exchange availability, transportation costs, and infrastructure challenges. He added that marketers with access to foreign exchange will continue to import to ensure steady supply, especially during high-demand periods.
Dangote Refinery has repeatedly dismissed reports linking past import surges to supply failures, maintaining that it is operating at full capacity and supplying over 50 million litres of petrol daily, reinforcing its role in stabilising Nigeria’s fuel market.
