Fuel Will Become Cheaper!” – IPMAN Hails Dangote’s Game-Changing Move

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, praised billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote for identifying critical issues in the petroleum sector and proactively addressing them.

Ukadike stated that the move would not only ensure that fuel reaches every part of the country with ease but would also significantly reduce operational costs for marketers.

“If you analyze Dangote’s announcement, it’s a bold and strategic policy move. He has clearly identified the challenges in the oil and gas industry and is taking steps to resolve them,” he said.

“We wholeheartedly welcome this development because it promises to deliver fuel more cheaply and directly to our doorsteps.

“Our pipeline network has been inactive for years. Products aren’t being transported through the 21 depots scattered across the country. Marketers have been shouldering the burden of hauling petroleum products from coastal depots owned by DAPMAN members.

“But with Dangote’s plan, a significant weight has been lifted off independent marketers,” Ukadike added.

The Dangote Refinery had earlier announced its plan to commence free distribution of petrol and diesel to marketers, dealers, and major consumers nationwide. As part of this, it disclosed the acquisition of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers, with operations set to begin on August 15, 2025.

However, the initiative has sparked concerns from the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), who fear the move could sideline depot owners, trucking firms, and retail outlets with exclusive fuel supply contracts to major corporations and multinationals.

Responding to this, the IPMAN spokesperson argued that, as a refinery, Dangote has every right to adopt more effective methods for distributing his products to marketers.