IPMAN Directs Members to Prioritise Dangote Refinery Fuel

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a nationwide directive instructing its members to prioritise the purchase of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, citing competitive pricing and the need to strengthen domestic refining capacity.

In a statement, IPMAN National President, Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, said the move was aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and supporting local production. He urged marketers across the country to patronise the Dangote facility, describing it as the most affordable option currently available.

“I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable price for all marketers today,” Shettima said.

The directive comes ahead of a major logistics upgrade by the Dangote Refinery. From January 2026, the refinery is expected to commence direct supply of PMS to registered IPMAN members, including free delivery to filling stations nationwide. The initiative is anticipated to improve supply efficiency, stabilise distribution, and potentially lower pump prices for consumers.

IPMAN, which controls more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s petrol retail outlets, warned that continued fuel importation undermines the local market. Shettima criticised what he described as the “reckless” issuance of fuel import licenses, arguing that imports drain foreign exchange, destroy local jobs, and discourage investment in domestic refining.

“Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model,” he said, calling on regulators to prioritise locally refined petroleum products.

Beyond supporting Dangote Refinery, IPMAN also revealed plans to venture into refinery ownership. The association appealed to the new leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to introduce policies that would enable independent marketers to invest in and operate refineries, to deepen Nigeria’s refining capacity.

Shettima praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recent leadership changes in key regulatory agencies, saying the reforms have helped create an environment conducive to partnerships such as the one between IPMAN and Dangote Refinery.

“The focus of the Dangote and IPMAN partnership has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians,” he said.

IPMAN also drew attention to lingering challenges facing its members, including over ₦190 billion in outstanding bridging claims yet to be paid.