Nigeria’s fuel market has just gotten a bit more competitive, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has cut its petrol loading price yet again, bringing it down from ₦825 per litre to ₦815 per litre. This fresh price slash, swhich took effect on Thursday, March 13, 2025, signals another major shift in the country’s fiercely contested oil sector.
What’s more surprising is that this is the second price reduction from the Dangote refinery in just two weeks. Dangote previously dropped prices from ₦890 to ₦825 per litre on February 27, 2025. With this latest price slash, the battle for market control is heating up, and Nigerians might soon see cheaper petrol at the pumps.
Marketers Rush to Dangote as Price War Heats Up
The new price cut is already shaking up the market. Oil marketers, eager to take advantage of the lower cost, are increasingly sourcing directly from the Dangote Refinery rather than from other suppliers.
Meanwhile, reports show that the landing cost of imported petrol has dropped to ₦774.72 per litre, fueling speculation that pump prices could soon fall to around ₦800 per litre.
According to Chinedu Ukadike, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), this is all part of a larger battle for dominance in Nigeria’s deregulated fuel market.
“Dangote has millions of litres and won’t want external forces to take its market share. That’s why we are seeing this price war,” Ukadike explained.
What’s Next for Nigeria’s Fuel Prices?
This aggressive pricing strategy is great news for consumers in the short term. With the ongoing competition, many Nigerians are hopeful that pump prices will continue to drop.
However, industry analysts are also warning that Dangote’s growing dominance could lead to a monopoly—similar to how the company gained control of Nigeria’s cement industry. If that happens, initial price cuts could eventually give way to price hikes once competitors are pushed out.
Regulatory bodies will need to keep a close eye on the market to ensure that competition remains fair and that Nigerians continue to benefit from better pricing.
Bottom Line
The latest price cut by Dangote Refinery is another bold move in Nigeria’s fast-changing oil sector. While the price war means cheaper petrol for now, the long-term effects remain to be seen. Will other players fight back with even lower prices? Or is Dangote positioning itself as the undisputed king of Nigeria’s fuel market?
