With Dangote Refinery’s recent commencement of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) loading, Nigerians were hopeful for an era of increased fuel availability and affordability. But mixed reactions have emerged across the country as consumers weigh in on the realities of pricing and product availability.
A survey by Petroleumprice.ng also indicated that 8 out of 10 Nigerians are disappointed over the price of Dangote fuel. In Lagos, taxi driver Godspeed Eze voiced concerns about affordability: “Fuel prices are higher than we anticipated. We thought a locally refined product would make things easier, but instead, I find myself paying the same as before—or sometimes more. I hope things stabilise soon, or transportation will continue to be tough for us.”
Meanwhile, in Abuja, Sule Abubakar, a grocery shop owner, expressed optimism, yet remained cautious. “I understand it’s a private refinery, and prices depend on production costs. But I trust that, eventually, having Dangote produce locally will mean fewer imports and perhaps more stable prices. We just need to be patient as things improve gradually.”
In Port Harcourt, Bassey Akpan, an oil sector worker, took a more pragmatic stance: “Prices are still tied to international crude prices and the dollar exchange rate, so expecting immediate affordability was unrealistic. That said, Dangote’s production will ease product shortages, and that’s already a step forward.”
Just yesterday, Aliko Dangote, chief executive of the Dangote Group had a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, expressing his concerns and challenges since the federal government’s Naira-for-Crude deal commenced. Dangote said his refinery has more than 500 litres of fuel in reserve after supplying 400 million litres to the domestic market. He added that with the right collaboration, his refinery with other modular refineries can hep sustain Nigeria’s 32 million litres local PMS need.
Aisha Mohammed, a Kaduna resident expressed disappointment, explaining, “For us in the North, accessing fuel has always been hard. Now with Dangote, I hoped the refinery would prioritise our region since we’re so often last on the supply chain. I just hope it leads to improved distribution.”
Kano mechanic Musa Shehu shared his frustration: “We were expecting fuel prices to drop. Instead, I’m still paying high prices to fill my generator daily. I am paying more for food. Transportation has gone up. It’s frustrating, but I can only hope that with time, prices will come down.”
In Nasarawa, where access to affordable fuel is especially critical, Adedoyin Rasaq, a roadside tire pump operator, noted: “If there isn’t any fuel, we won’t be able to work. We buy from the black market where a litre cost between N1,200 and N1,500. Things are getting tougher.”
Mr Niyi Sam Oyedele, a teacher in In Ijebu Ode voiced mixed feelings: “I expected prices to drop, especially with all the buzz around Dangote Refinery. Yet, seeing the reality now, I feel we should have managed our expectations better. But, at least with local production, we may avoid severe scarcity.”
While Dangote Refinery’s entry is a critical milestone toward energy self-sufficiency, the feedback from Nigerians shows a mix of hope and frustration, as pricing and availability remain critical concerns. Many Nigerians are cautiously optimistic, waiting to see how this development will ultimately impact their day-to-day lives.
