Emmanuel OchayiThe Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has raised concerns over the ongoing petrol price war between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Marketers say frequent price changes are making it difficult for them to stay in business.
Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN’s Enugu Depot Community, overseeing Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, revealed this in a press briefing in Awka. He stated that the price fluctuations are making it hard for independent marketers to plan their operations.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelReports suggest that Dangote Refinery has reduced depot prices three times in 2025, intensifying competition with NNPCL. This has led to a drop in petrol prices for consumers, but at a heavy cost to independent marketers.
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Price War Between Dangote and NNPCL
The ongoing petrol price cuts are forcing independent marketers to sell at a loss. Currently, petrol prices range between N865 and N950 per litre in Awka. However, these prices change frequently, making it difficult for marketers to keep up.
Anyaso explained that marketers buy petrol at a certain price, only to find out that it has dropped before they even leave the depot. “For instance, a marketer will buy products from any of them, and before leaving the depot, you hear that the price of petrol has dropped by ₦10 or ₦20 per litre,” he said.
The chairman noted that these reductions are not driven by global oil prices but by competition between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL. This situation has put many marketers in financial distress.
Independent Marketers Struggling to Stay Afloat
Due to the unstable petrol price, independent marketers are struggling to meet their financial obligations. Many are unable to repay loans or pay staff salaries. “We can no longer project with certainty. Paying off loans and salaries is becoming difficult because profitability is no longer guaranteed due to the regular variation in prices,” Anyaso said.
He warned that many independent marketers are at risk of shutting down unless the situation is addressed.
Call for Government Intervention
IPMAN is calling on the federal government to step in and stabilise the market. The association is urging NNPCL to focus on full-scale local production rather than relying on a mix of local refining and imports.
Anyaso argued that fair competition can only be achieved when both major suppliers operate from the same standpoint. “For the masses to enjoy the full benefit of deregulation and fair pricing, the two giants have to operate from the same standpoint, and NNPCL has to go into full-scale production,” he said.
He also called on the government to settle outstanding bridge claims owed to marketers, stating that many businesses have already shut down while others are barely surviving.
A Struggle for Survival
The petrol price war between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL may seem beneficial to consumers in the short term, but it is pushing independent marketers out of business. With continued instability, many marketers may not survive, leading to long-term market disruptions. If the government does not intervene soon, independent marketers may continue to suffer, risking massive job losses in the sector.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
