Many Nigerians are shunning premium motor spirit from Dangote Refinery due to higher pump prices.
This follows a noticeable drop in patronage at MRS filling stations in Abuja. The filling stations are owned by Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, half-brother of Dangote Refinery Chairman, Aliko Dangote.
During a visit to MRS outlets on Kubwa Expressway and in Lugbe, Nigerian Newssphere observed that petrol was being sold at N945 per liter, which is N25 higher than prices at nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and AA RANO stations, where fuel sold for N920 per liter.
A manager at one of the MRS stations, who requested anonymity, said the higher price has caused a sharp decline in customer turnout since November 2025.
“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,” he told Nigerian Newssphere.
Speaking on the situation, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed the challenge, describing unstable PMS pricing as a major concern for the downstream sector.
He cautioned Nigerians against focusing solely on cheaper prices, noting that unrealistic fuel pricing could create deeper supply problems.
“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,” he said.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that NNPCL and several other stations have reduced fuel prices twice in the last two weeks, pushing pump prices in Abuja and surrounding areas to between N920 and N945 as of Monday, December 8, 2025.
As of Monday, ex-depot fuel prices stood at N826 per liter at Dangote Refinery, N825 at Aiteo, and N835 at MENJ, among others.
