The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has strongly opposed the continued importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), insisting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand and stabilise supply nationwide.
The marketers’ position came amid rising controversy over petrol imports and fresh allegations of corruption involving the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
IPMAN also dismissed reports linking the surge in petrol imports recorded in November 2025 to an alleged breakdown in supply arrangements between marketers and the Dangote Refinery, describing the claims as misleading and inconsistent with realities on the ground.
Speaking on behalf of the association, IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, said independent marketers across the country have continued to lift products from the refinery without disruption since supply commenced.
“Our members fully support Dangote Refinery. Since supply began, marketers have been lifting products consistently without complaints. We oppose continued petrol importation because Dangote Refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s entire PMS demand,” Garima said.
He added that the refinery’s decision to introduce direct delivery to filling stations has significantly improved product availability, eased distribution bottlenecks, and strengthened confidence among independent marketers.
According to Garima, increased access to locally refined PMS has reduced supply pressure and offers a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported fuel.
In a related development, Dangote Petroleum Refinery dismissed media reports suggesting that supply agreements with marketers had collapsed, insisting that its engagement with the downstream market has remained stable and deliberately structured to meet growing demand.
In a statement signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery explained that PMS supply under the marketers’ arrangement began in October 2025 with an offtake volume of 600 million litres, which rose to 900 million litres in November and further increased to 1.5 billion litres in December.
“Volumes were scaled up in line with market growth and absorption capacity. Subsequently, and in line with downstream market liberalisation, PMS supply was opened to all qualified marketers, bulk consumers, and filling station operators,” the statement said.
The refinery disclosed that since December 16, 2025, it has consistently loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily from its gantry, depending on market demand, adding that the figures are verifiable through depot and regulatory records.
To improve access and deepen market participation, Dangote Refinery said it reduced minimum purchase volumes from two million litres to 250,000 litres and introduced a 10-day credit facility backed by bank guarantees, a move aimed at supporting small and medium-scale operators.
The refinery also refuted claims that marketers withdrew from its supply framework due to pricing concerns, stating that its ex-gantry prices remain competitive, market-responsive, and aligned with import parity benchmarks.
Addressing the spike in petrol imports in November, Dangote Refinery attributed the development to import licences approved by the former leadership of the NMDPRA, noting that volumes were sanctioned beyond prevailing domestic demand and had no connection with its operational capacity.
Meanwhile, the controversy has taken a legal dimension as the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption and abuse of office by the former NMDPRA boss, Farouk Ahmed.
Dangote had earlier withdrawn a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a move his company said was aimed at fast-tracking prosecution.
In the petition signed by his lead counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja (SAN), Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of corrupt enrichment against Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition alleged that Ahmed lived far beyond his legitimate earnings, citing the education of his four children in elite secondary schools in Switzerland, with estimated costs running into several million dollars.
Dangote claimed that each child spent six years in foreign institutions at an estimated annual cost of $200,000, amounting to about $5m, with an additional $2m allegedly spent on tertiary education, including a reported $210,000 Harvard MBA programme in 2025.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as N10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, local refining, and collaboration with regulators, stressing that increased utilisation of domestic refining would conserve foreign exchange, moderate fuel prices, and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term energy security.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
