Dangote Refinery Under Fire: Importers Expose Cheaper Petrol Prices In Togo Than Nigeria

Some fuel importers and depot operators have accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of operating a double standard, alleging that it sells petrol to international traders at ₦65 per litre less than the price offered to local marketers.

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) argue that this practice undermines fair competition and threatens the survival of domestic businesses.

DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, disclosed that many of their members have resorted to buying fuel from Lomé, Togo, where international traders resell at cheaper prices than Dangote’s official rate to Nigerian dealers.

“Dangote is selling to international traders at ₦65 cheaper than what he offers us. In some cases, we’ve bought from them abroad and still managed to bring it into Nigeria profitably. These traders secure supplies by claiming large-volume purchases,” Adewole told The PUNCH.

He added that several requests for allocations had either been ignored or tied to conditions that made business unsustainable, pushing marketers to seek alternatives.

Marketers Demand Discounts
Adewole stressed that Dangote must factor in freight and other costs between the refinery jetty and local depots if domestic players are to remain competitive.
“Without such discounts, people will continue to import because it’s cheaper abroad,” he warned.

Backing the claims, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry confirmed that Dangote’s products were indeed cheaper in Togo than in Nigeria.
“DAPPMAN spoke the truth. We may not say everything now, but the facts are there,” he said.

Dangote Refinery Denies Allegations
In response, Dangote Refinery dismissed the accusations, linking them to DAPPMAN’s alleged involvement in recent labour tensions with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
“We now know who is behind NUPENG. Our free delivery starts Monday,” a company spokesperson said, while questioning why marketers suddenly shifted to sourcing from Lomé.

Adewole, however, accused the refinery of using sudden price cuts to destabilise the market. He claimed Dangote had long promised to undercut importers each time cargoes were brought in, a strategy he described as “calculated moves to suffocate competition.”

DAPPMAN maintained that Nigeria cannot depend on a single refinery, noting that Dangote currently covers only 30–35% of national demand, while the remainder is met by regulated imports.

The group also criticised the refinery’s “free delivery” scheme, alleging marketers were compelled to lift 25% of allocations using only Dangote’s trucks at commercial rates, which added hidden costs.

Refinery to Deploy CNG Trucks
Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery confirmed plans to roll out compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks from Monday under its logistics-free delivery scheme. The move, it said, will cut the gantry price to ₦820 per litre, with expectations of lower pump prices nationwide.

This dispute comes amid a growing face-off between Dangote and NUPENG, which recently threatened strike action, accusing the refinery of preventing drivers from unionising. DAPPMAN warned that the escalating row could further destabilise Nigeria’s fragile fuel supply chain.