By Ola Kay
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has warned that petrol pump prices could increase up to N1,400 per litre if the country depends on importation of fuel, noting that only large-scale domestic refining remains a key stabilising force in the downstream petroleum market.
The company gave the hint on Monday as it refuted claims in some quarters that it was shutting down for maintenance, describing the report as a misinformation, deliberately circulated to justify another increase in pump prices.
“Recent price movements further highlight an uncomfortable reality. In the absence of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, fuel importers would continue to operate without restraint, with petrol prices potentially escalating to levels estimated at up to N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy environment. The refinery’s operations have therefore served as a critical stabilising force in the downstream petroleum market,” a statement by the company maintained.
It blamed the alleged shutdown report on fuel importers whose commercial interests has been affected by domestic refining, stressing that the false report was intended to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.
“The false report in question is a deliberate fabrication promoted by fuel importers whose commercial interests are threatened by the stabilising impact of large-scale domestic refining.
The refinery said: “This misinformation has been opportunistically deployed by fuel importers to justify recent and unwarranted increases in petrol pump prices. Such conduct is inconsistent with national interest and imposes unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.”
Putting the record straight, the refinery insisted that production remained on course, stable and uninterrupted, noting that it currently has the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, daily, according to market demand.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery is not shutting down. Production remains ongoing, stable, and uninterrupted. Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to operate at scale and retains the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit daily through January and February, subject solely to market demand,” the statement by the company emphasized.
The refinery pointed out that on January 4, it produced 50 million litres of PMS and evacuated 48 million litres through its gantry, adding that current stock levels were sufficient to cover more than 20 days of national consumption.
“On January 4, the refinery produced 50 million litres of PMS and evacuated 48 million litres via its gantry. Current stock levels cover over 20 days of national consumption, effectively dispelling any concerns about supply,” it stated.
On the matter bothering on maintenance, the refinery said routine work on specific units does not affect overall output because of the integrated design of its facilities.
“Due to the sophistication and integrated design of its processing units, routine maintenance on specific units, including the Crude Distillation Unit and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit, does not interrupt overall production,” it stated adding that other units remained fully operational and will continue to produce key products for domestic market.
“The refinery continues to produce Premium Motor Spirit, Automotive Gas Oil, and Jet A-1 through the operation of other critical units, including but not limited to the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer, and Hydrocracker, which remain fully operational,” the statement stated further.
The company also informed that it had maintained a steady PMS supply to the Nigerian market since mid-December, with daily loading volumes verifiable by the regulator.
“From December 16, 2025, to date, the refinery has loaded between 31 million and 48 million litres of PMS daily from its gantry, in line with prevailing market demand. These volumes are fully verifiable against depot loading records maintained by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in the normal course of its regulatory responsibilities,” it said.
Dangote refinery took time to equally clarify that its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre, saying the price was available to all marketers and bulk consumers without discrimination.
“The refinery further confirms that it continues to maintain an ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for PMS, available to all marketers and bulk consumers without discrimination,” it said.
The refinery called on filling station operators, large-scale users, and institutional consumers to patronise locally refined products, arguing that domestic sourcing would help moderate prices and conserve foreign exchange.
“By sourcing PMS locally at N699 per litre, marketers are better positioned to pass on price relief to consumers, enhance market stability, conserve foreign exchange, and support Nigeria’s broader economic recovery and energy security objectives,” the refinery said.
While calling on the public to ignore false reports, the Dangote refinery said it would continue to prioritise energy security and steady supply of products.
“Stakeholders and members of the public are advised to disregard false reports, remain vigilant against price manipulation, and rely on verified information from credible sources,” it said.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery will continue to act in the national interest by supplying high-quality, locally refined petroleum products while supporting Nigeria’s economic stability, energy independence and industrial growth,” the refinery emphasized.
About The Author
