By Peter Omopo
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has directed its members across the country to prioritise the purchase of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The association said the directive is driven by competitive pricing and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity while reducing reliance on imported fuel.
In a statement, IPMAN National President, Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, said the move would support local production and help stabilise the downstream petroleum sector.
“I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the most affordable price for marketers today,” Shettima said.
The directive comes ahead of a planned logistics upgrade by the Dangote Refinery. From January 2026, the refinery is expected to commence direct supply of PMS to registered IPMAN members, including free delivery to filling stations nationwide.
IPMAN said the initiative would improve supply efficiency, stabilise distribution networks and potentially lead to lower pump prices for consumers.
The association, which controls over 80 per cent of petrol retail outlets in Nigeria, warned that continued fuel importation undermines the local petroleum market.
Shettima criticised what he described as the “reckless” issuance of fuel import licences, arguing that excessive imports drain foreign exchange, discourage investment in domestic refining and lead to job losses.
“Continuous import is not an acceptable parallel business model,” he said, urging regulators to prioritise locally refined petroleum products.
Beyond supporting the Dangote Refinery, IPMAN disclosed plans to invest in refinery ownership and appealed to the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to introduce policies that would enable independent marketers to own and operate refineries.
Shettima also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recent leadership changes in key regulatory agencies, noting that the reforms have created a more conducive environment for partnerships such as the collaboration between IPMAN and the Dangote Refinery.
