IPMAN fuel import ban gains support as marketers back local refining and Dangote’s direct PMS supply to cut prices nationwide
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, led by its President, Abubakar Shettima, has backed a decisive end to fuel importation, urging regulators to prioritise local refining.
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Shettima said the position reflects IPMAN’s long-standing advocacy for domestic refining to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
He called on the new leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to put national interest first in policy decisions.
Shettima said Nigeria should stop importing petroleum products that are available locally.
He urged regulators to create policies that allow independent marketers to own and operate refineries within the country.
According to him, reducing imports would attract foreign investment into the downstream sector and deepen value creation.
Shettima said marketers operating near refineries would benefit from increased investor confidence.
He announced that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery would begin direct supply of Premium Motor Spirit to registered IPMAN members from January 2026.
He said the arrangement would include free delivery to filling stations nationwide.
Shettima said the move would further reduce pump prices and stabilise supply.
He directed IPMAN members across the country to prioritise patronage of the Dangote refinery.
He described the refinery as the most affordable PMS source currently available.
Shettima said IPMAN controls over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s PMS retail market.
He assured Nigerians that the association would prevent fuel scarcity under the new supply framework.
The IPMAN president praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for readjusting the leadership of petroleum regulatory agencies.
He described the decision as critical to restoring confidence in the oil and gas sector.
Shettima said the growing partnership between IPMAN and the Dangote refinery reflects the President’s pragmatic leadership.
He warned that continued fuel importation harms the economy.
He said issuing import licences alongside local refining distorts the market, drains foreign exchange and destroys jobs.
Shettima urged the NMDPRA to address outstanding bridging claims owed to IPMAN members, estimated at over ₦190bn.
Nigeria has relied heavily on fuel imports following the collapse of state-owned refineries.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reshaped the downstream sector and intensified regulatory debates.
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Recent disputes over import licences and market control escalated into leadership changes at petroleum regulatory agencies.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
