Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to N1,252 as Depot War Heats Up
By Aboki Forex —
The Dangote Refinery has cut its ex-depot petrol price to N1,252 per litre, responding to aggressive pricing from private depot operators. The move comes after depots like MRS, A.A. Rano, African Terminal, and Integrated dropped their rates to N1,250 per litre, undercutting the refinery's previous price of N1,256.
This is the latest twist in a price war that has gripped Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. The refinery had raised prices last week after a brief cut, citing rising crude costs linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. But with international crude prices now easing, depot operators moved first, forcing Dangote to follow.
Experts Predict More Cuts Ahead
Energy analysts say the battle is far from over. “It is a matter of time. Dangote Refinery will soon drop its ex-gantry price because the price war is real and intense,” energy analyst Osas Igho told Legit.ng. Declining global crude prices could create room for further reductions, offering relief to marketers and consumers.
Import Dispute Simmers
The price war unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing tension over fuel imports. Dangote Refinery has sued the Nigerian government and selected marketers over the continued issuance of import licences, arguing it has enough capacity to meet domestic demand. Fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows Dangote supplied 99% of Nigeria's petrol needs in April 2026.
But the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) insists the refinery alone cannot fully satisfy the country's fuel consumption. The dispute continues to shape the future of local refining and fuel supply in Nigeria.
As competition intensifies and crude prices fluctuate, stakeholders are watching closely for the next round of price cuts. Private depots have already cut prices by between N1 and N22 per litre, depending on location and volume, fueling further rivalry for customers.