The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has implemented a fresh price review, cutting its ex-depot petrol price from ₦1,275 to ₦1,250 per litre. In tandem with this adjustment, the refinery also reduced diesel costs from ₦1,800 down to ₦1,700 per litre, a strategic intervention aimed at stimulating broader local economic activities and easing energy costs for consumers.
Despite this downward adjustment at the depot level, a nationwide market check reveals that a vast majority of retail filling stations across Nigeria are refusing to adjust their pumps. Only a few scattered outlets have passed on nominal cuts of between ₦5 and ₦10 per litre. Industry observers attribute this lag to inefficiencies within the downstream distribution framework, noting that older high-cost inventories, heavy logistics overheads, and diverse marketer strategies are slowing down the direct transfer of benefits to end-users.
Meanwhile, downstream competition is expected to intensify due to increased product availability from both local production and standard fuel imports. To support long-term stability, Dangote Refinery is actively advancing plans to expand its crude processing flexibility—boosting its capability from 40 to 130 crude oil grades. This expansion targets a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day, which experts believe will ultimately optimize operational costs and foster stronger international export partnerships.