Dangote Refinery will launch nationwide petrol and diesel distribution on August 15, using 4,000 CNG tankers to boost supply and cut costs with free delivery and credit schemes but tanker drivers’ protests in Lagos may cause shortages.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has unveiled a plan to distribute Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil across Nigeria starting August 15, aiming to ensure a reliable fuel supply for consumers and businesses. The refinery will deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers and establish daughter booster CNG stations, supported by a fleet of over 100 gas-powered tankers. This initiative offers free delivery and a credit scheme for bulk buyers purchasing 500,000 liters or more, designed to reduce logistics costs, stimulate small businesses, and align with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, stated that the program promotes energy efficiency, sustainability, and Nigeria’s economic development.
However, a dispute in Lagos threatens to disrupt this plan, as tanker drivers under the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) plan to halt fuel loading starting June 16, 2025. The drivers are protesting the N12,500 E-Call Up system fee imposed by the Lagos State Government for trucks on the Lekki-Epe corridor, arguing it is unaffordable and proposing N2,500 instead. NARTO President Yusuf Othman highlighted ongoing negotiations with the state, warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to fuel scarcity. IPMAN Vice President Hammed Fashola criticized the lack of stakeholder consultation and the poor condition of truck parks, urging dialogue to prevent disruptions.
The Lagos State Government defends the E-Call Up system, designed to regulate tanker movements and prevent gridlock on the Lekki-Epe corridor, which hosts critical infrastructure like the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Sea Port. Permanent Secretary Olawale Musa clarified that the N12,500 fee supports private investors who built the truck parks, not the government, and accused unions of collecting N41,000 daily from drivers without providing services. The system requires trucks to register online and await electronic clearance to access parks, aiming to improve traffic flow and road safety. Musa emphasized that the facilities offer amenities like rest areas, countering claims of inadequate infrastructure.
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