DAPPMAN Warns Against One-Sided Narratives in Dangote–NUPENG Rift
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has raised concerns over the escalating dispute between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), warning that the crisis could mislead the public and destabilize Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi A. Adewole, DAPPMAN said while the association is not directly involved in the matter, it is worried about the potential impact on Nigerians, particularly in a market still stabilizing after deregulation.
“The assertion that Nigeria’s downstream stability rests solely on one refinery is misleading and dismissive of the broader ecosystem,” Adewole stated.
According to him, Dangote Refinery currently supplies only 30–35 percent of national demand, while the majority is still met by petroleum marketers, including DAPPMAN members, who import and distribute fuel under the supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He stressed that for decades, marketers have ensured uninterrupted fuel supply across the country, despite challenges such as forex pressures, subsidy transitions, insecurity, and economic downturns.
DAPPMAN also faulted claims that Dangote’s repeated fuel price cuts were patriotic gestures, arguing instead that they were often timed to coincide with importers’ active cargoes, creating price shocks and financial strain on other players. The association further alleged that the refinery has sometimes offered lower prices to international buyers than to local marketers, contradicting its claims of prioritizing Nigerians.
On the issue of product quality, DAPPMAN rejected insinuations that its members deal in substandard fuel, stressing that all imports undergo regulator-accredited testing. It accused Dangote Refinery of seeking waivers in the past to distribute products with sulphur levels above approved limits, raising questions about its credibility.
The association also dismissed claims that the refinery provides “free delivery” to marketers, explaining that off-takers are required to lift at least 25 percent of allocations with Dangote-owned trucks at commercial rates, which imposes additional costs and limits flexibility.
“The Dangote Refinery is a valuable contributor, but it is not a messiah,” Adewole said. “Nigeria’s downstream sector is powered by an ecosystem of refiners, depots, marketers, transporters, and regulators working together to ensure nationwide fuel access.”
DAPPMAN reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, competition, and collaboration, urging all parties to engage constructively and avoid one-sided narratives that could undermine investor and public confidence.
