Petrol depot prices in Nigeria have increased by up to 28 naira per litre in Lagos, Warri, and Calabar following US President Donald Trump's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is now "NEW U.S. Territory." The announcement, made on Tuesday, August 18, via Trump's Truth Social platform, has escalated tensions with Iran and prompted immediate adjustments in the Nigerian fuel market.
Trump's Declaration and Iranian Response
Trump shared a map graphic on Truth Social, with a blue-highlighted stretch of water between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman labelled as new American territory. The official White House account on X amplified the post shortly after. The move was not entirely unexpected, as Trump had hinted at the declaration during a political rally in New York State on Friday, stating: "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States." He added, "It's true," and described the idea as "a great idea" and "an excellent idea," pointing to the US naval presence and blockade already in place around Iranian ports.
Iranian officials have firmly rejected the claim. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf and other senior figures have said the strait will remain closed or under Iranian authority until the United States lifts the blockade and eases related sanctions. Tehran has dismissed territorial assertions made on social media or through military posturing as lacking legal standing. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global oil and gas passing through it under normal conditions.
Depot Price Changes Across Nigeria
Petrol depot prices in Nigeria shifted noticeably in the wake of the announcement, especially in Lagos, according to data obtained from Petroleumprice.ng. In Lagos, African Terminal and Integrated both recorded increases of 19 naira per litre, moving from 1,179 to 1,198 naira. NIPCO saw the largest increase of 28 naira, from 1,170 to 1,198 naira, while Pivot rose by 15 naira, from 1,180 to 1,195 naira. Dangote, MRS, and Pinnacle remained unchanged at 1,166, 1,167, and 1,167 naira respectively.
In Calabar, Sobaz increased by 20 naira, from 1,180 to 1,200 naira, and Soroman by 15 naira, from 1,180 to 1,195 naira, while Fynefield stayed at 1,220 naira. Port Harcourt and Warri saw decreases: Liquid Bulk, Masters, Matrix, and Sigmund in Port Harcourt all reduced prices by 5 or 10 naira, and in Warri, Matrix, Nepal, and Rain Oil each cut prices by 5 naira, with Parker unchanged at 1,195 naira.
Dangote Refinery's Free Delivery Initiative
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun delivering petrol directly to fuel marketers in six states at no delivery cost, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen fuel distribution across Nigeria. The first phase of the programme covers Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The refinery said further states will be brought into the scheme as rollout progresses.
