Dangote refinery cuts petrol ex-depot price to ₦699 as festive travel peaks
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Dangote Refinery has again slashed its petrol ex-depot price, reducing the gantry rate by 15.58 per cent from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre, effective Thursday, 11 December 2025.
The move marks the refinery’s 20th price review this year, underscoring its aggressive pricing strategy as millions of Nigerians prepare for peak yuletide travel.
According to senior officials of the refinery, the latest adjustment is aimed at easing transportation burdens ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities.
The company noted that the review aligns with its commitment “to make the season memorable for citizens and reduce cost pressures on road transport operators.”
The reduction comes days after Dangote Group President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, met with President Bola Tinubu on 6 December, where he reaffirmed the refinery’s resolve to maintain “reasonable and competitive” fuel prices despite global market volatility and persistent smuggling along Nigeria’s borders.
Dangote stressed that domestic fuel prices remain far below the ₦1,500–₦1,600 per litre range seen in neighbouring countries, adding that competition from local refining continues to push prices downward. “Prices are going down because competition is working,” he said, noting that smuggling had reduced considerably, though not entirely eliminated.
Industry analysts say the refinery’s consistent price reviews have helped stabilise supply, discourage arbitrage, and inject much-needed efficiency into the downstream petroleum sector.
Despite investing an estimated $20 billion in the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, Dangote reiterated that he is “not in a hurry” to recoup his capital.
The refinery, which began supplying diesel and aviation fuel in early 2024 before adding petrol in September of the same year, has significantly reshaped Nigeria’s fuel market and reduced dependence on imports.
Market sources indicate that the latest price cut further confirms the collapse of the marketers’ consortium structure that previously coordinated bulk purchase arrangements.
With Dangote’s expanding nationwide distribution network, individual marketers now negotiate directly with the refinery—allowing faster price changes and wider market penetration.
The new ex-depot price is expected to trigger reductions in pump prices across several states, particularly in the North and South-East, where logistics costs typically surge during festive periods.
Officials also hinted at the possibility of further adjustments as production ramps up ahead of the refinery’s next expansion phase.
The ripple effect is already visible across the downstream sector. Data from petroleumprice.ng shows fresh reductions at multiple private depots following the Dangote announcement.
Sigmund Depot cut its price by ₦4 to ₦824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped by ₦3, while TechnoOil recorded one of the steepest reductions with a ₦15 cut. Others, including A.A. Rano, NIPCO and Aiteo, also made marginal downward adjustments as the market responded to the new pricing template.
With interstate travel intensifying, stakeholders expect the latest reduction to provide relief for transport operators and commuters nationwide.