DAPPMAN Seeks Collaboration With Dangote Refinery to End Fuel Queues in Nigeria

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called for stronger collaboration with the Dangote Refinery to ensure stable fuel supply nationwide and eliminate recurring fuel queues.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, DAPPMAN spokesperson Ikem Ohia clarified that the association is not in conflict with Africa’s largest refinery but is instead seeking partnership to guarantee steady access and competitive pricing.

“Our key interest is to have petroleum products consistently available at reasonable prices, ensuring Nigerians no longer queue for fuel,” Ohia said.

While acknowledging Dangote Refinery’s dominance in the sector, Ohia stressed that the major challenge lies in pricing transparency and access to bulk supply. He explained that DAPPMAN has built a 20-year distribution network with depots in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Lagos, which could efficiently move products across the country if utilized.

Ohia dismissed claims that marketers were seeking subsidies, saying the matter was strictly commercial.

“We are businessmen; he is a businessman. We’re negotiating for bulk supply. Refineries worldwide thrive on wholesale bulk lifting, not just retail gantry sales,” he said.

He warned that limiting supply to a few preferred partners would restrict market access and fail to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand. According to him, many DAPPMAN members also operate retail chains with over 300 filling stations each, but face shortages due to restricted access.

The clarification follows recent debates over the Refinery’s distribution strategy, including its investment in 4,000 CNG-powered trucks for nationwide supply. Marketers argue this move leans toward monopolisation of the downstream sector.

Business mogul Femi Otedola recently weighed in, urging oil marketers to restructure and even consider acquiring the Port Harcourt Refinery to remain relevant, instead of “resisting progress.”

Similarly, PETROAN President Billy Gilly-Harris noted that 4,000 trucks alone are insufficient to meet nationwide demand, further stressing the need for broader collaboration within the sector.