Dangote Partner MRS Shuts Filling Stations for Seven Days Amid Petrol Price Hike

Several MRS filling stations, a major retail partner of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, have remained shut for at least seven days following disruptions in fuel supply linked to the refinery’s temporary suspension of petrol sales in naira.

Checks by DAILY POST revealed that MRS outlets across Abuja and surrounding areas have been without Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, since July 17, 2026.

A manager at one of the affected MRS stations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the outlets had not received fresh supplies since last week.

“We have not had fuel supply since last Thursday. However, we hope to get supply today (Friday) following the resumption of Dangote Refinery’s gantry sales in naira,” the manager said.

The disruption followed Dangote Refinery’s decision on July 15 to temporarily suspend petrol gantry sales in naira and switch to dollar-denominated transactions, a move that created uncertainty across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

However, the refinery reversed the policy on Thursday, resuming naira sales while increasing its ex-depot price from N1,175 per litre to N1,215 per litre.

The return to naira transactions is expected to restore normal product evacuation from the refinery, although marketers say the higher ex-depot price is already pushing up retail fuel costs.

Industry operators noted that private depot owners and fuel marketers have adjusted prices at least twice within the past week in response to supply constraints and rising procurement costs.

In Abuja, the retail price of petrol now ranges between N1,300 and N1,340 per litre, depending on location and availability.

The temporary closure of MRS outlets further tightened fuel availability in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, forcing many motorists to patronise independent marketers selling at higher prices.

The refinery had earlier explained that its brief shift to dollar pricing was necessitated by challenges associated with sourcing crude oil under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative.

Although the resumption of naira sales has eased immediate concerns among marketers, stakeholders warn that the latest increase in the refinery’s ex-depot price could sustain pressure on pump prices nationwide unless international crude prices decline or market competition moderates the impact.

Consumers are expected to continue facing elevated fuel costs as supply gradually stabilises across the country.