BREAKING: Dangote Confirms Free Fuel Distribution Despite Industry Backlash

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The Dangote Refinery has confirmed that the nationwide distribution of free fuel will begin today, despite mounting criticisms from oil and gas industry associations. In a statement issued last night, the refinery management accused its critics of launching a coordinated campaign of economic sabotage, insisting that their opposition stems not from legitimate concerns but from fear of losing control over Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.

The refinery pointed to past controversies in the sector, recalling how in January 2022 the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) revealed that a member of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) had supplied petrol with methanol levels above 15 percent, leading to massive engine damage across the country. According to Dangote, such incidents highlight why entrenched players resist change, even as the refinery now provides petrol at rates below international benchmarks while importing over 60 percent of the crude it refines.

Economist and policy advisor Kevin Emmanuel noted that the Dangote initiative would absorb key risks and costs that typically burden retailers, estimating that transporting petrol from Lagos to other states costs around ₦2 million per truck. “The gantry operates on open access, and anyone who meets the standard requirements can load products,” he explained, countering claims that the refinery excludes independent marketers.

The development has triggered mixed reactions. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) called on the Federal Government to shield the refinery from what it described as sabotage by vested interests, while the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) directed unregistered members to urgently enroll with the refinery ahead of direct fuel supply.

On the streets, excitement is palpable. Reports from Lagos and Abuja show long queues forming at select fuel stations rumored to be on Dangote’s first distribution list. Many Nigerians say they are hopeful that free fuel distribution and lower prices will provide much-needed relief amid rising inflation and transport costs. “Even one day of free fuel is a big help for us,” a motorist in Ikeja said.

Yet, skepticism remains widespread. Social media critics warn that the refinery’s strategy mirrors Dangote’s earlier moves in cement, sugar, salt, and flour — where initial price cuts wiped out competition, only for prices to soar once dominance was secured. “This is not charity. It’s business. Once others are pushed out, Nigerians will pay the real price,” one viral post cautioned.

The refinery’s entry has already rattled the market, with traders reporting increased volatility in petroleum futures and fears among smaller marketers that they may be priced out. Economists suggest that the coming months will determine whether Dangote’s presence ushers in healthy competition or cements a new monopoly in Africa’s largest economy.

For now, Nigerians are watching closely as Dangote fuel trucks prepare to roll out nationwide — a moment that could reshape not just the pump price, but the future of Nigeria’s energy sector.