The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has challenged claims by the Dangote Refinery that it alone can sustain Nigeria’s petroleum product needs. The association insists that its members, alongside other depot operators, still dominate petrol supply across the country, commanding more than twice the Refinery’s share.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Femi Adewole, said depot owners are responsible for about 68% of the fuel supplied nationwide, compared to Dangote Refinery’s 24%.
“We, the depot owners, are still the backbone of Nigeria’s downstream sector. For instance, in May, about 1.7 billion litres of PMS were supplied to the country. Dangote Refinery only accounted for 24%, while the rest came from depot owners and other suppliers,” Adewole explained.
Why Depot Owners Still Import Fuel
Adewole stressed that DAPPMAN members are compelled to import petrol, not out of choice, but necessity. According to him, Dangote’s pricing and allocation policies often shut them out of direct access.
“Right now, you may say Dangote has stock, but if he does not sell to us, we must import because we cannot fold our arms and watch businesses collapse,” he said.
The Executive Secretary further alleged that Dangote sells to international traders at prices ₦65 lower than to Nigerian depot owners. “We want to buy from Dangote. He is the pride of the nation. But if he gives international traders cheaper deals and raises prices for us by ₦45 above gantry levels, how do we stay competitive?” Adewole asked.
The Strike Factor and Labour Tensions
This debate emerged amid growing concerns of scarcity triggered by the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
DAPPMAN linked the crisis to the Refinery’s initial refusal to allow tanker drivers to unionise. “The Nigerian constitution and ILO conventions give workers the right to join unions. Unfortunately, the Refinery resisted these moves, which forced workers to take action,” Adewole noted.
Although Dangote Refinery has since approved unionisation, DAPPMAN believes lingering issues in the downstream sector remain unresolved.
Dangote Holds Its Ground
Earlier, a spokesman for Dangote Refinery, Anthony Chiejina, dismissed fears of fuel scarcity despite the NUPENG strike. “There is no fuel shortage, everything is going on,” he told AFP.
Chiejina maintained that the Refinery had adequate stock to keep the country wet, projecting confidence that the industrial action would not destabilise supply.
What Next for Nigeria’s Downstream Market?
For depot owners, the path forward is collaboration but on fair terms. Adewole reiterated that DAPPMAN is open to striking a workable framework with Dangote Refinery that ensures equitable pricing and sustainable access.
“We want to buy locally, we want to support the nation’s pride, but we cannot do so at a loss. The market needs transparency and fair play,” he insisted.
As the strike lingers and the tug-of-war over market dominance intensifies, Nigerians continue to watch closely, hoping the battle for control does not translate into queues at filling stations.
