As of Today 9th of January 2026 , It has been revealed that the fuel supply deals between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and 20 top petroleum marketers has collapsed because of pricing disputes, causing a significant rise in petrol imports. The deal, established in October 2025, aimed for marketers to collectively purchase 600 million litres of petrol monthly from the refinery. However, disputes over pricing caused its breakdown, thereby triggering marketers to increase imports in order to meet demand.
In November 2025, Nigeria’s petrol imports increased to 1.563 billion litres, as disclosed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The rise in imports has been linked or said to be caused by the collapse of the supply deal and the need to fill the resulting supply gap.
The pricing dispute intensified when Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre in December 2025, causing marketers to incur significant losses. This unexpected price cut disrupted the market, leading to tensions between the refinery and marketers.
Regardless these challenges, Dangote Refinery has continued operations, steadily delivering 43 million litres of fuel in a single day and denying any shutdown rumours. The refinery’s management remains committed to stabilizing fuel prices and ensuring consistent supply.
The breakdown of the supply agreement and the subsequent surge in imports have raised concerns about Nigeria’s energy security and the effectiveness of local refineries in meeting domestic demand. Stakeholders are calling for renewed dialogue between the refinery and marketers to resolve pricing issues and reduce reliance on imports.
