MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a major distributor of refined petroleum products, has announced an upward adjustment in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria following the recent increase in ex-depot prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The new price structure, which takes effect from Friday, June 21, 2025, sees petrol selling at ₦925 per litre in Lagos, ₦935 in the South West, ₦955 in both the North East and South South/South East regions, and ₦945 in the North West and North Central zones.
The adjustment follows a 6.7% increase in Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price for PMS, which rose from ₦825 per litre to ₦880 per litre.
The new ex-depot rate reflects growing cost pressures in the domestic supply chain and marks a significant shift in the refinery’s pricing mechanism just weeks after expanding direct supply to marketers.
MRS stated that the revised retail prices are based on regional logistics dynamics and emphasized that the prices must be adhered to by all its retail outlets.
The company urged the public to report any filling station found to be in violation of the official pricing.
“The adjusted prices reflect the recent increase in the ex-depot rate by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. All MRS service stations are expected to comply strictly with the updated price band,” the company said in a circular to dealers and stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has indicated that its members are closely monitoring the development and will seek further clarity from the Dangote Refinery and regulatory bodies before making any strategic adjustments.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by the association, MEMAN Executive Secretary Clement Isong noted that stakeholders are still trying to understand the implications of Dangote’s evolving distribution strategy, which includes plans to supply petrol directly to filling stations nationwide.
“At this point, we are watching the market, trying to understand it. We have read it in the news. We need to understand exactly where it impacts and what it impacts before we can have clarity,” Isong said.
He added that discussions would be held with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dangote Refinery and other industry stakeholders to evaluate how the price increase and distribution plan align with national pricing policies and infrastructural realities.
Of particular concern is whether Dangote’s pricing model includes an equalisation component that would standardize pump prices across the country or whether regional disparities will continue due to logistics and infrastructure gaps.
Commenting further, Isong acknowledged Dangote’s proposal to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for fuel distribution, but noted that the supporting infrastructure is still underdeveloped.
“CNG is a policy of the government. It’s a policy still in implementation. A lot of planning needs to be done to make it viable at scale,” he said.
The price increase is expected to impact logistics, inflationary trends, and general household expenditure, particularly in regions now paying up to ₦955 per litre for PMS.
Industry observers say the adjustment could further complicate the government’s subsidy exit strategy and deepen the call for a clearer fuel pricing framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The Nigerian government has yet to comment on the implications of the new price regime or issue an updated directive regarding the role of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) under the new downstream market realities.
