IPMAN Rejects Petrol Imports
…Backs Dangote Refinery for Domestic Supply
By Patience Ikpeme
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has declared its firm opposition to the continued importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, into the country.
The association also moved to dismiss recent reports claiming that a spike in fuel imports during November 2025 was caused by a failure in supply agreements between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and independent marketers. IPMAN described these reports as inaccurate and out of touch with the current operational realities of its members.
According to the association, the rollout of supply from the Dangote Refinery has led to a notable improvement in the availability of petroleum products across Nigeria.
Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, the National President of IPMAN, clarified the association’s position, stating that independent marketers are fully aligned with the domestic refinery.
“Our members fully support Dangote Refinery. Since supply began, marketers have consistently lifted products without any complaints. We oppose continued importation because Dangote Refinery has the capacity to meet the country’s entire PMS demand,” Shettima said.
The IPMAN leader further noted that the association is pleased with the reliability of the current supply chain and spoke in favor of the refinery’s plan to deliver products directly to filling stations. He characterized this move as a vital step toward stabilizing distribution and ensuring that Nigerian consumers see the benefits of local production.
He added that better access to locally refined fuel has significantly lowered supply pressures and increased confidence among independent marketers, who view domestic refining as the only sustainable path for the nation’s downstream sector.
Dangote Refinery Scales Up Production.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery issued its own statement to debunk claims of a collapsed agreement with marketers. The refinery explained that its strategy in the downstream market is specifically designed to increase competition and efficiency while meeting the nation’s rising energy needs.
Data released by the refinery showed a steady increase in offtake volumes. Supply to marketers began in October 2025 with 600 million litres, grew to 900 million litres in November, and reached 1.5 billion litres in December.
“In line with market growth and absorption capacity, volumes were scaled up accordingly. Subsequently, and in line with downstream market liberalisation, we opened PMS supply to all qualified marketers, bulk consumers, and filling station operators,” said Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer.
The refinery confirmed that since mid-December 2025, it has maintained daily loading rates between 31 million and 48 million litres. To make the process more inclusive for smaller operators, the refinery reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 250,000 litres and introduced a 10-day credit facility for those with bank guarantees.
Addressing why petrol imports rose in November despite local production, the refinery pointed to regulatory decisions. It explained that the increase was linked to import licenses approved by the previous leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which allowed for volumes that exceeded actual domestic demand.
The refinery insisted that the import surge had nothing to do with its own production capacity or its commitment to the market.
Moving forward, the Dangote Refinery pledged to continue working with regulators and industry stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, conserve foreign exchange, and ensure that domestic fuel prices remain more competitive than imported alternatives.
