A young Nigerian man has sparked widespread discussion online after he directly reported alleged fuel price violations to billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. His action came shortly after the President of the Dangote Group urged the public to monitor filling stations and report any selling petrol above a set price of N739 per litre.
Public Report Exposes Alleged Overpricing in Lokoja
In a post that quickly went viral on social media, the man identified as @SAsekome wrote to Aliko Dangote to flag the activities of specific MRS Oil Nigeria outlets. He explicitly stated that all MRS filling stations in Lokoja, Kogi State, were selling fuel at N830 per litre. This price is significantly higher than the N739 rate announced by Dangote for participating stations.
The whistleblower provided detailed allegations, claiming the stations engaged in deceptive practices. "They refuse to display the price on their panels outside the station, but when you drive in, you discover they are selling at N830," he wrote. He further reported facing intimidation when attempting to gather evidence, adding, "They also harass you when you try to take pictures. This is totally wrong and should be addressed as soon as possible."
Nigerians React and Share Similar Experiences Nationwide
The public report triggered a flood of reactions from other Nigerians who shared their own experiences with inconsistent fuel pricing at MRS stations across the country. The comments revealed a pattern of discrepancies and alleged non-compliance.
@Pmotosin suggested that public vigilance could lead to a better system, while @A_Deefah from the Northeast noted that many MRS stations had simply stopped selling fuel. Other users reported specific instances of overpricing:
- @peerlessdave reported MRS Akowonjo in Lagos selling at N789.
- @Akintun41255896 cited an MRS station on Eleyele road in Ibadan selling at N795.
- @Funshyabel reported a shocking price of N910 at an MRS station along the Nyanyan-Karshi road in Abuja, contrasting with another nearby selling at the official N739.
- @HorlarJhidey highlighted an MRS in Challenge, Ibadan, selling at N789, while another at Iwo road sold at N739 but with limited pumps, causing long queues.
Many, like @KanteCesc, called for an investigation not only into the pricing but also into the quality of fuel being sold at these stations.
Background: Dangote's Call for Public Vigilance
This incident is directly linked to a recent public appeal made by Aliko Dangote. Following the announcement of a reduced fuel price at designated outlets, Dangote encouraged Nigerians to act as watchdogs. He specifically asked consumers to report any MRS filling stations found charging above the stipulated rate of N739 per litre.
The young man's report from Lokoja is a direct response to that call, testing the mechanism for public accountability in Nigeria's fuel market. It underscores the ongoing challenges consumers face with fuel pricing and transparency, even after interventions from major private sector players. The viral post and subsequent reactions put pressure on both the Dangote Group and the fuel marketers to enforce price consistency and address consumer grievances.
