Nigerian motorists may see further relief at the pump after the landing cost of imported petrol dropped to about N1,304 per litre, N21 below the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s gantry price of N1,325 per litre, according to latest industry data.
Imported Petrol Now Cheaper Than Dangote’s Supply
The new figures, released by energy marketers, show that Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) imported into Nigeria costs N1,304 per litre before distribution and retail margins are added. This undercuts Dangote Refinery’s gantry price by N21, a gap that could influence wholesale and retail pricing in the downstream market.
The development comes as competition between imported petroleum products and locally refined supplies continues to shape prices across Nigeria’s fuel market. The price difference is notable because Dangote Refinery recently reduced its petrol gantry price by N25, from N1,350 to N1,325 per litre, yet imports still landed cheaper.
Diesel Also Cheaper, Aviation Fuel Costs More
The price gap extended to diesel. Imported Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) landed at approximately N1,839 per litre, N11 below Dangote Refinery’s reported price of N1,850 per litre. This makes imported diesel slightly cheaper than the refinery’s supply.
Aviation fuel moved in the opposite direction. Its landing cost stood at about N1,745.91 per litre, significantly above the N1,591 per litre quoted for supply from the Lekki-based refinery. This suggests that the relative advantage of imports varies considerably across different petroleum products.
Import Battle Continues Amid Legal Dispute
The latest prices emerge amid a legal dispute over the continued importation of petroleum products into Nigeria. Dangote Refinery had challenged the issuance of import licences by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to petroleum marketers.
A court recently rejected the refinery’s challenge, allowing authorised marketers to continue importing petroleum products subject to Nigeria’s regulatory framework. This means imported products can continue competing with locally refined supplies, potentially putting downward pressure on wholesale prices when international market conditions are favourable.
Why Cheaper Imports May Not Cut Pump Prices
However, a lower landing cost does not automatically translate into an equivalent reduction at filling stations. Energy policy analyst Adeola Yusuf warned that rising international crude oil prices could quickly reverse the current advantage.
“The current respite may not last. Right now, Brent is selling for about $107 a barrel and this can translate to higher fuel prices in Nigeria,” Yusuf said.
Some retail outlets have already started adjusting prices. NNPC stations and Dangote-backed MRS outlets have recently announced marginal reductions in pump prices. For consumers, attention will now turn to whether the latest N1,304-per-litre import cost triggers another round of price cuts before higher crude prices filter through the Nigerian market.
FG Approves 830,000 Tonnes of Petrol Import
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Government has approved the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, for the fourth quarter of 2026, as Nigeria prepares for increased fuel demand during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The approval comes as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reduces its petrol prices below estimated import landing costs, intensifying competition between locally refined and imported petroleum products. The government’s decision to authorise large-scale imports signals that imported fuel will remain a significant part of Nigeria’s supply mix, even as domestic refining capacity grows.
