In what is clearly a show of sabotage against the well-being of the people, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has confronted Dangote Petroleum Refinery for reducing price of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol.

Dangote announced that free distribution of petrol would commence tomorrow, Monday with a reduction of pump price to N840.

But, rather than do same to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigeria’s, DAPPMAN is angry with Dangote and accused his refinery of engaging in what it called ‘market-disruptive practices,’ and claimed the company’s much-publicized fuel price cuts were strategically timed to weaken competition rather than to serve patriotic interests.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, DAPPMAN said the refinery often slashes prices at moments when other importers have active cargoes at sea or in tank, creating shocks that leave marketers exposed to heavy losses. According to the group, this practice undermines healthy competition in a market still recovering from the effects of deregulation.

DAPPMAN alleged that Dangote sells fuel cheaper to international buyers than to Nigerian marketers, a move the association described as contradictory to the refinery’s public claims of prioritizing Nigerians. “Such pricing patterns place unnecessary strain on domestic businesses already operating on tight margins,” Adewole said.

Beyond the price concerns, DAPPMAN dismissed insinuations that marketers trade in substandard fuel, stressing that all imports are tested by regulator-accredited laboratories under strict Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) oversight. The group also alleged that Dangote itself has sought waivers to distribute products with sulphur levels above approved thresholds, raising questions about its consistency on product quality.

While acknowledging the Dangote Refinery as a landmark infrastructure project, DAPPMAN insisted that Nigeria’s fuel security does not rest on one player. “The refinery is a valuable contributor, but not a messiah,” the association noted, warning that the dominance narrative threatens to distort investor perception and destabilize confidence in the sector.

DAPPMAN called for a more balanced recognition of all stakeholders including marketers, depots, transporters, and regulators, who it said have kept the nation’s fuel supply chain intact for decades under challenging conditions.

On its part, Dangote refinery has concluded plans to commence the fuel distribution initiative on Monday while it also slashed the gantry price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petroleum.

A statement by Anthony Chiejina, Dangote’s Group Head, Corporate Communications, Lagos and other South-Western states will sell fuel retailing at N841 per litre, while Abuja, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Kwara states will sell at N851 per litre.

The first phase of the deployment will cover the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Rivers and South West states, with nationwide expansion planned as additional trucks are delivered.

This transition to CNG-powered transportation is expected to save the Nigerian economy over N1.8 trillion annually.

The move is designed to cut fuel distribution costs, reduce pump prices, and ease inflationary pressures.

“In particular, the initiative is expected to benefit more than 42 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by lowering energy costs and improving profit margins.

“Dangote Group is investing over N720 billion into the programme, which is also anticipated to revitalise dormant filling stations across the country. The project is expected to create numerous direct employment opportunities, including roles for truck drivers, filling station managers, and fuel attendants.

“The company has called on stakeholders, including fuel station operators, telecommunications companies, and large-scale fuel consumers to partner with the initiative to ensure its success and maximise its economic impact,” Chiejina said.