By DAYO ADESULU
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed strong optimism that the Dangote Refinery PMS supply will significantly reduce petrol pump prices across the country, as the refinery prepares to commence free nationwide delivery of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to marketers from January 2026.
The association also urged all its members nationwide to prioritise purchasing PMS from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, describing the facility as currently offering the most affordable and market-friendly pricing for petroleum marketers in Nigeria.
IPMAN Applauds Dangote Refinery’s Direct PMS Supply Plan
IPMAN’s position was outlined in a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, following a press conference held in Abuja on recent developments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
According to the association, it is particularly encouraged by a new agreement under which the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will begin supplying PMS directly to registered IPMAN members, cutting out multiple intermediaries that often inflate costs along the distribution chain.
Shettima said the arrangement would strengthen supply efficiency, stabilise product availability, and ultimately translate into lower pump prices for consumers.
Free Nationwide Delivery to Begin January 2026
A major highlight of the agreement, according to IPMAN, is the decision by the Dangote Refinery to introduce free delivery of PMS to filling stations operated by its members across Nigeria, starting from January 2026.
Shettima described the development as a “game-changer” for the downstream petroleum sector, noting that logistics costs account for a significant portion of fuel pricing.
“We are excited at the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026,” he said.
He added that the initiative would “certainly lead to further decreases in the pump price of PMS at our filling stations.”
IPMAN Controls Over 80% of PMS Retail Market
The IPMAN president emphasised the strategic importance of the association in Nigeria’s fuel distribution network, noting that its members control more than 80 percent of the PMS retail market nationwide.
According to him, this dominant presence gives IPMAN the capacity to ensure nationwide fuel availability and prevent artificial scarcity.
“The association has the highest percentage of the supply chain of the PMS downstream sector. We therefore declare that there will be no gap or scarcity in PMS supply to Nigerians,” Shettima said.
He stressed that with IPMAN’s reach and the Dangote Refinery’s production capacity, Nigerians can expect more stable fuel supply and pricing in the coming months.
Support for Dangote and Federal Government Reforms
IPMAN also commended the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, for what it described as consistent support for the Federal Government’s energy reforms.
According to the association, Dangote’s investments in domestic refining have already begun to reflect in the gradual reduction of petrol pump prices nationwide.
Shettima further praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, crediting its policy direction and regulatory reforms for creating an enabling environment for domestic refining to thrive.
He specifically referenced the restructuring of leadership at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), describing the move as timely and strategic.
Domestic Refining as Solution to Fuel Imports
Reaffirming IPMAN’s long-standing position, Shettima said Nigeria must fully embrace domestic refining to end its reliance on imported petroleum products.
According to him, continuous importation of fuel is economically unsustainable and harmful to the nation’s long-term interests.
“Continuous import is not an acceptable parallel business model,” he said. “Issuing import licences recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, entrenches poverty, destroys jobs, and scares away potential investors.”
He argued that partnerships between IPMAN and the Dangote Refinery are designed to improve living conditions for Nigerians by ensuring steady fuel supply at affordable prices.
Bridging Claims: IPMAN Demands N190bn Settlement
While congratulating the newly appointed heads of Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory agencies, IPMAN also used the opportunity to raise concerns over outstanding bridging claims owed to its members.
The association disclosed that the Federal Government owes IPMAN members over ₦190 billion in unpaid bridging claims, urging the new leadership of the NMDPRA to treat the matter as urgent.
“We specifically call on the NMDPRA’s new leadership to immediately make this debt a cause for serious concern as he assumes office,” the statement said.
IPMAN warned that unresolved bridging claims continue to strain marketers’ operations and limit their ability to invest in infrastructure and expand fuel access in underserved areas.
Optimism for Consumers and the Economy
Industry analysts say the Dangote Refinery PMS supply, combined with free nationwide delivery and IPMAN’s extensive retail network, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
With reduced logistics costs, fewer intermediaries, and increased domestic refining capacity, petrol prices are expected to become more stable, predictable, and affordable.
For millions of Nigerians grappling with high living costs, IPMAN’s endorsement of the Dangote Refinery signals renewed hope that fuel pricing pressures may finally ease as Nigeria transitions toward self-sufficiency in petroleum refining.
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