The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that its members must obtain clearance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited before they can lift petrol from the Dangote Refinery. IPMAN President, Chinedu Okoronkwo, explained that while the Dangote Refinery was designed to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands, NNPC holds exclusive rights to distribute petroleum products within the country. This exclusivity, he noted, limits independent marketers’ ability to source directly from the refinery, complicating access to fuel supply for regional and independent distributors.

Okoronkwo also suggested that full deregulation of Nigeria’s petroleum sector would enable a more balanced market and open access to refined products across the board. He argued that deregulation could eliminate current bottlenecks and foster a competitive environment where multiple players can supply and distribute fuel, potentially stabilizing prices and increasing efficiency in distribution.

Additionally, the NNPC’s current control over petroleum products, which includes regulatory oversight and distribution rights, was underscored as a point of focus for IPMAN. Okoronkwo clarified that a shift to full deregulation could lead to a more transparent and resilient supply chain, benefiting both marketers and consumers by reducing fuel scarcity and price volatility.

This statement from IPMAN reflects ongoing discussions within Nigeria’s petroleum sector as stakeholders weigh the impacts of exclusive distribution rights and seek policy reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive and competitive fuel market.