The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has strongly rejected allegations made by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing the company of distortion and attempts to edge competitors out of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
In a statement, DAPPMAN denied sponsoring the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) strike, dismissing the allegation as “false and baseless.”DAPPMAN explained that stakeholders in the downstream industry, including NUPENG, NARTO, PETROAN, MEMAN, IPMAN, and DAPPMAN, are independent entities with distinct roles.
“The refinery’s claim that DAPPMAN sponsored NUPENG suggests a fundamental lack of understanding of how Nigeria’s downstream ecosystem works,” the association stated. “Stakeholders such as NUPENG, NARTO, PETROAN, MEMAN, IPMAN, and DAPPMAN are independent entities, each with distinct roles and interests. DAPPMAN does not control labour unions or other industry associations and has no business interfering in their decisions.
“The association clarified that it did not sponsor or support NUPENG’s proposed industrial action, and its role has been one of de-escalation, focused on averting disruption to fuel supply and national mobility. “DAPPMAN did not sponsor or support NUPENG’s proposed industrial action. Our role has been one of de-escalation, focused on averting disruption to fuel supply and national mobility.
“DAPPMAN also attributed recent reductions in pump prices to government reforms, a stronger naira, and falling global crude prices, rather than Dangote Refinery.
“The recent reductions in pump prices are primarily the result of: A stronger naira (₦1,500–₦1,550/$ since Q1 2025), supported by the fiscal and monetary reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Declining international crude prices (Brent crude fell from $92 to $76 per barrel); market deregulation and improved FX liquidity under the current administration.
“The association accused Dangote Refinery of granting discounts to foreign traders while restricting Nigerian marketers’ access, creating opportunities for arbitrage.
“It is, in fact, the Dangote Refinery that offers discounts of over $40/MT to foreign traders while denying Nigerian marketers access to coastal vessel loading and restricting them to gantry-only lifting.
This restrictive access and pricing structure create the very arbitrage opportunity the refinery now criticizes.”DAPPMAN challenged Dangote’s claims on fuel quality, supply volumes, and product diversion, insisting that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) remains the only credible custodian of such records.
The association also raised concerns about safety, criticizing Dangote’s plan to deploy 4,000 new CNG trucks, warning of heightened risks without proper training and regulatory oversight. “While DAPPMAN supports the introduction of CNG trucks as a cleaner energy initiative, safety cannot be compromised.
The Dangote Group has a well-documented history of fatal road crashes linked to poorly trained or unsupervised drivers. Only weeks ago, Nigerians mourned the lives lost in tragic accidents involving Dangote cement trucks across multiple states.”DAPPMAN called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), insurance industry, and relevant regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of Dangote’s transport operations and road safety record.
“Mandatory driver vetting and retraining must be a precondition before widespread deployment of these trucks.”The association emphasized that Dangote’s statements implicitly accuse NMDPRA, Customs, and border agencies of regulatory failure, undermining public confidence in government reforms.
“DAPPMAN supports deregulation and fair competition. We challenge Dangote Refinery to present verifiable evidence that DAPPMAN members are diverting products to neighbouring countries.”DAPPMAN issued a 7-day ultimatum to Dangote Refinery to either retract the allegation or provide documented proof.
“If neither occurs, we reserve the right to seek legal redress. We Demand Fair Competition, Not Monopolies. DAPPMAN does not seek conflict. We seek a petroleum market where all players follow the same rules.”
