Dangote Refinery Partners to Sell Petrol at ₦739 Per Litre as Price War Intensifies
Petrol prices may soon drop nationwide as MRS Oil Nigeria Plc and other partners of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery prepare to begin selling premium motor spirit (PMS) at ₦739 per litre, barring any last-minute changes.
The move follows the Dangote Refinery’s reduction of its petrol gantry price from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre, a development expected to significantly lower pump prices across the country.
MRS to Lead Petrol Sales at New Price
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced that MRS filling stations will commence sales at ₦739 per litre from Tuesday, starting in Lagos. Other partner marketers are expected to follow shortly after.
Dangote said the initiative aims to end what he described as price sabotage by marketers, who often remember high pump prices despite reductions at the gantry level.
“That ₦970 per litre price, you won’t see it again,” Dangote declared.
“Starting from Tuesday, MRS will begin selling petrol at ₦739 per litre.”
Dangote Accuses Marketers, Officials of Sabotage
Dangote alleged that some marketers, with the encouragement of unnamed officials, deliberately keep pump prices high to frustrate the refinery’s price cuts and government efforts to ease fuel costs.
He stressed that the refinery would deploy all available resources to enforce the new pricing regime nationwide.
“For December and January, we don’t want anyone selling petrol above ₦740 per litre nationwide,” he said.
He also disclosed that any marketer capable of purchasing up to 10 fuel trucks can buy petrol directly from the refinery at ₦699 per litre.
Transportation Costs Don’t Justify High Prices — Dangote
Dangote questioned why petrol sells for as high as ₦900 per litre in some locations, noting that transportation within Lagos costs no more than ₦10–₦15 per litre.
According to him, this puts the realistic landing cost at around ₦715 per litre, making higher pump prices unjustifiable.
“Why should anyone sell at ₦900 when everything should cost about ₦715?” he asked.
Reckless Import Licences Killing Local Refining – Dangote
The billionaire businessman also accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of undermining local refining by issuing 47 import licences to bring in over seven billion litres of petrol in the first quarter of 2026.
Dangote said the move threatens domestic investments, including modular refineries, many of which he claimed are struggling to survive.
“We have guaranteed enough supply, yet licences are being issued recklessly,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria’s fuel market is not monopolised, pointing out that import licences remain widely available and that investors are free to build or acquire refineries.
Price Enforcement Begins Tuesday
Dangote assured Nigerians that the new pump price would be enforced, beginning with MRS outlets.
“Starting Tuesday, MRS will sell at ₦739 per litre. We will make sure it is implemented,” he said.
He added that the ₦699 gantry price already includes regulatory charges, noting that the refinery’s net proceeds are significantly lower.
Regulator Declines Comment
When contacted for a response, NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita declined to comment on the allegations and pricing dispute.
What This Means for Nigerians
If fully implemented, the new price regime could:
- Reduce fuel costs during the festive season
- Ease transportation and logistics expenses
- Slow inflationary pressures
- Improve consumer confidence
However, analysts say enforcement and nationwide compliance will be key to ensuring Nigerians feel the impact of the price cut.
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