Depot petrol prices have surged to nearly ₦900 per litre across Nigeria’s major coastal hubs, driven by operational and supply challenges at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery that have disrupted production and strained national distribution.
An operations personnel familiar with the matter told Petroleumprice.ng that the refinery will load only a few trucks for now, pending completion of ongoing maintenance and performance checks. “The refinery is operating at a reduced rate, and only limited loading tickets will be released until further notice,” the source said.
Prices Climb Across Coastal Depots
Market data obtained on Monday, October 13, 2025, showed that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold between ₦870 and ₦900 per litre at key depots in Lagos and Calabar, reflecting a steady climb over the past week.
In Lagos, where most private depots rely on imported supply, prices remained elevated even after recent reviews. Aiteo and Pinnacle both sold petrol at ₦890 and ₦870 per litre, respectively, while Integrated Oil and Gas priced PMS at ₦870 per litre.
At Calabar, Matrix Energy and Northwest Petroleum traded at ₦890 and ₦880 per litre, while Sobaz Depot hit ₦900 per litre —the highest recorded so far this month.
Refinery Downtime Deepens Supply Strain
The slowdown at the Dangote Refinery, expected to anchor Nigeria’s shift from fuel imports, has left private depots and marketers heavily dependent on imported stocks influenced by high international landing costs and volatile exchange rates.
“If Dangote’s supply remains inconsistent, depot prices could easily cross ₦900 per litre in the coming days,” a Depot Marketer told Petroleumprice.ng. “Marketers are already rationing liftings because of high replacement costs.”
The pricing surge also coincides with tighter foreign exchange conditions, which have made importation costlier. Analysts warn that the combination of limited local output, currency weakness, and elevated crude prices is squeezing domestic margins and could push retail pump prices higher unless new supply enters the market soon.
Downstream regulators have yet to issue an official statement on the refinery’s latest production status. However, several marketers confirmed that loading from the Dangote facility remains “sporadic and unpredictable,” with some deliveries reportedly suspended pending fresh quality and performance assessments.
Depot Prices (₦/Litre) — October 13, 2025
| Location | Depot | Product | Price (₦/Litre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos | Aiteo | PMS | 890 |
| Lagos | Pinnacle | PMS | 870 |
| Lagos | Integrated | PMS | 870 |
| Calabar | Matrix | PMS | 890 |
| Calabar | Northwest | PMS | 880 |
| Calabar | Sobaz | PMS | 900 |
Outlook
With refinery maintenance still ongoing and the landing cost of imported PMS elevated, depot prices may rise further before the end of October. Industry observers warn that without steady output from Dangote, market corrections could be delayed, potentially lifting pump prices above ₦950 per litre in some regions if the trend continues.
The situation underscores Nigeria’s fragile fuel supply balance and the urgent need for the Dangote Refinery to restore full operations to stabilise prices and ease the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
