As the Dangote Refinery prepares to expand fuel distribution nationwide, concerns are mounting from Nigeria’s independent fuel station owners over potential market monopolization.
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The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), led by President Billy Gillis-Harry, has voiced strong concerns, warning that thousands of retailers face serious risk under a system controlled by a single refinery.
“We’re not against Dangote’s success. But no single company should control refining, supply, distribution, and retail all at once,” Gillis-Harry said in a recent press release.
According to PETROAN, more than 10,000 authorized retail outlets depend on access to open market supply. The association warns that a monopoly structure will eliminate fair competition and push out smaller players from the downstream sector.
To prevent this, PETROAN is demanding:
Open access to depots and marine terminals
Strict enforcement of anti-monopoly provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
Fair pricing mechanisms for independent marketers
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Support for third-party logistics instead of refinery-owned fleets only
Gillis-Harry stressed that the concern is not about envy or resistance to private sector growth, but about preserving diversity and competition in the fuel supply chain.
“This isn’t about envy. It’s about making sure the downstream sector remains inclusive, competitive, and sustainable for everyone, not just the biggest,” he added.
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As Dangote’s mega refinery gears up for full national operations, the debate between industry stakeholders and the refinery giant is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
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