Petrol prices across Nigeria may soon ease following the resumption of bulk loading at the Dangote Refinery, offering a potential reprieve from recent hikes that pushed pump prices to as high as ₦965 per litre in Abuja.

The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, has restarted supply to independent marketers at ₦877 per litre—up from ₦820 but still below prevailing depot rates. The move is expected to stabilize the market after a two-week supply disruption attributed to maintenance activities.

President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, confirmed on Monday that members have begun lifting products from the facility. “With availability, the price would drop a little bit,” Maigandi told Daily Post, noting that Dangote’s gantry rate undercuts competitors such as Pinnacle (₦890) and Rainoil (₦885).

Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), echoed the optimism. “Whenever there’s enough petrol from Dangote or depots, the country gets wet enough to guarantee affordability,” he said.

Retail stations including MRS, Emedeb, Optima, and Bova have resumed dispensing, with Dangote Vice President Devakumar Edwin reporting over 310 million litres billed last week.

The recent surge in pump prices—ranging from ₦940 to ₦965 in Abuja—was exacerbated by limited supply, prompting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other marketers to raise rates to ₦905–₦910 per litre. With Dangote’s operations back online, industry stakeholders anticipate a gradual reduction in prices, though experts caution that sustained relief will depend on consistent output and distribution.