The Dangote Refinery has announced that it sells Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N960 per litre for ship deliveries and N990 per litre for truck supplies, countering claims of lower-priced imported fuel in the Nigerian market.

In a statement released on Sunday, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Refinery, emphasized that any PMS available at a significantly lower price than their offerings likely fails to meet quality standards.

“Following deregulation, the NNPC set the benchmark by pricing PMS at N971 per litre for ship deliveries and N990 for truck supplies. In response, we aligned our pricing, even going as low as N960 per litre for ship sales while maintaining N990 per litre for trucks,” the statement read.

This development comes as fuel marketers claim that imported petrol can be sold at cheaper rates. Addressing these allegations, Dangote Refinery suggested that any such cheaper imports might compromise quality, posing risks to consumers.

“We benchmark our prices against international standards,” the statement continued. “If anyone claims they can land PMS at a rate lower than ours, they are likely importing substandard products, risking the health of Nigerians and the longevity of their vehicles.”

Dangote Refinery also expressed concerns over the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA) capacity to verify the quality of imported fuel, hinting that the regulatory body may lack sufficient laboratory facilities to prevent substandard imports from entering the market.

The company defended its pricing as competitive and aligned with global standards, underscoring the importance of supporting Nigeria’s local refining industry. Citing examples from the U.S. and Europe, the statement noted that many countries protect domestic industries through tariffs to encourage job creation and economic growth.

“We launched sales at these prices in good faith, despite uncertainties regarding the exchange rates needed for crude purchases,” Dangote Refinery added, affirming its commitment to providing high-quality, locally-refined fuel for Nigerian consumers.