The Dangote Group has rejected allegations by the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) that its refinery sells petrol to international traders at cheaper rates than it offers to Nigerian marketers.
DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, recently alleged that some members of the association had purchased Dangote’s petrol through international traders in Lomé, Togo, at prices around N65 per litre cheaper than what was available locally.
In response, Dangote described the claims as misleading and inaccurate, stressing that a simple comparison of pump prices contradicts the assertion.
According to the company, the average pump price of petrol in Lomé is about 680 CFA francs per litre, equivalent to N1,826, which is more than double the current pump price of N865 per litre in Nigeria.
“It is incorrect to claim that the price of petrol in Togo is lower than in Nigeria. A straightforward check reveals that the average pump price in Lomé stands at approximately N1,826 per litre.
This figure reflects the very scenario that DAPPMAN and its affiliates appear to advocate for in Nigeria,” the company stated.
Dangote maintained that its refinery has positioned Nigeria as the most affordable petrol source in West Africa, despite importing more than 60 percent of the crude oil it processes.
The company also emphasised that local partners already benefit from incentives such as volume-based discounts, credit facilities, and logistics support to ensure affordability and availability across the country.
The refinery further accused some marketers of prioritising arbitrage opportunities over domestic supply, by diverting products to neighbouring countries where petrol sells at significantly higher rates.
The ongoing dispute underscores the tension between Nigeria’s largest private refinery and petroleum marketers, even as the government and industry continue efforts to stabilise fuel prices and strengthen energy security.
Dangote reiterated its commitment to serving Nigeria’s domestic market and called on marketers to collaborate directly with the refinery instead of promoting narratives that misrepresent regional price realities.
