The tit-for-tat between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has escalated again, as The Nigeria Voice alleges that Dangote is behind a campaign of calumny against NNPCL and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari. As the two biggest players in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, both entities have been entangled in controversies since Aliko Dangote launched his refinery. The rivalry intensified when NNPCL announced the recommissioning of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries last year.
The Price War
A key aspect of the ongoing dispute is the price competition between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL. MRS filling stations, in partnership with Dangote Refinery, are selling petrol at N945 per litre, while NNPCL’s fuel is priced slightly higher at N965 per litre.
This price difference has fueled public debates, particularly after a viral video emerged comparing fuel efficiency. In the video, a reviewer claimed that petrol purchased from an MRS Filling Station in Alapere, Lagos, at N925 per litre lasted longer in a generator than NNPCL fuel bought at Ojodu Berger for N945 per litre. The NNPCL-powered generator allegedly stopped after 17 minutes, whereas the one running on Dangote fuel lasted 33 minutes.
Allegations of a Smear Campaign
The report from The Nigeria Voice claims that Dangote’s media team sponsored a story titled “NNPCL imports over 200 million litres of petrol in February despite the refinery overhaul”, allegedly to tarnish NNPCL’s reputation. However, petroleum marketers familiar with the situation argue that available data does not support the claim that NNPCL imported such a volume of fuel just days after mid-February 2025.
Official Reactions
Despite the controversy, neither side has officially responded to the allegations. NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye has not issued a statement on the report, while Dangote Industries Limited spokesperson Anthony Chijiena has also remained silent. However, Soneye did dismiss the viral video’s claims about fuel quality as “baseless and unfounded” over the weekend.
Conclusion
The growing friction between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL highlights the fierce competition in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly as both players fight for market dominance. The ongoing price war, allegations of misinformation, and conflicting narratives on fuel efficiency suggest that tensions may persist. Ultimately, resolving these disputes through transparent industry regulations and collaboration may be key to stabilizing Nigeria’s fuel market.
