Many Nigerians are increasingly choosing to buy petrol from outlets offering lower prices as pump rates at some stations supplied by Dangote Refinery rise above those of competing retailers. A noticeable drop in patronage was observed at MRS filling stations in Abuja.
The stations, owned by Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, half brother of Dangote Refinery Chairman Aliko Dangote, were selling petrol at N945 per liter during visits to the Kubwa Expressway and Lugbe outlets. This is N25 higher than the N920 per liter offered at nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stations and AA RANO stations.
A manager at one of the MRS outlets who preferred not to be named said the higher price has led to a significant decline in customer turnout since November 2025. He said “Our patronage has dropped. Queues have reduced because our price is higher. Management issued a circular to reduce the pump price to N920, but it has not been implemented. We hope it will be reviewed soon to boost sales.”
Speaking on the broader pricing concerns, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria Billy Gillis Harry confirmed that fluctuating petrol prices remain a major challenge for the downstream sector.
He cautioned Nigerians against making decisions based solely on the cheapest available option. He said “We must stabilize PMS pricing. Our appeal to Nigerians is don’t let a cheap price deceive you. If pricing is not accurate, the effects will show in the coming weeks and months.”
NNPCL and several other stations have adjusted pump prices twice in the last two weeks, pushing rates in Abuja and surrounding areas to between N920 and N945 as of Monday December 8, 2025.
As of Monday, ex depot prices stood at N826 per liter at Dangote Refinery, N825 at Aiteo and N835 at MENJ among other suppliers.
