Dangote Refinery has responded to allegations from some marketers that imported premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petroleum, is cheaper than the fuel produced at its facility. The Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) claimed that purchasing fuel from Dangote was more expensive, with Yakubu Suleiman, the association’s national assistant secretary, stating that members would naturally seek the lowest prices to maximize profits.

In a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Refinery, the company labeled IPMAN’s claims as “misinformation.” Chiejina explained that the refinery’s selling prices are set at N960 per litre for shipments and N990 per litre for truck deliveries, which are competitive with international rates.

“If anyone claims they can land PMS at a price cheaper than what we are selling, then they are likely importing substandard products and colluding with international traders to dump low-quality products into Nigeria,” Chiejina asserted. He also criticized the National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for lacking the laboratory facilities necessary to detect substandard imports.

Chiejina pointed out that after deregulation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) established a benchmark price of N971 per litre for domestic marketers, a price that Dangote has undercut by offering lower rates for its products. He urged the public to dismiss the misinformation propagated by competitors who benefit from Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuels, emphasizing the need to support domestic refining to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

The refinery remains dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality domestically refined petroleum products and encourages the public to reject misleading claims that could undermine its operations.