Many Nigerians are reportedly shunning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supplied from the Dangote Refinery at several filling stations due to higher pump prices.
This has led to a noticeable drop in patronage at MRS filling stations, particularly in Abuja, Daily Post reports.
MRS, a retail outlet owned by Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, the half-brother of Dangote Refinery Chairman Aliko Dangote, is currently selling petrol at a price significantly higher than its competitors.
It was observed during visits to MRS outlets on the Kubwa Expressway and in Lugbe that petrol was being sold at ₦945 per litre.
This price is ₦25 higher than that found at nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and AA RANO stations, where the fuel price has been reduced to ₦920 per litre.
A manager at one of the MRS stations, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the higher price has caused a sharp decline in customer turnout since November 2025.
“Our patronage has dropped. Queues have reduced because our price is higher. Management issued a circular to reduce the pump price to ₦920, but it has not been implemented. We hope it will be reviewed soon to boost sales,” the manager told Daily Post.
The reported drop in patronage comes even as the Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price stood at ₦826 per litre as of Monday, December 8, 2025, which is competitive with other suppliers like Aiteo (₦825) and MENJ (₦835).
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed that the issue of unstable PMS pricing is a major concern for the downstream sector.
Gillis-Harry cautioned Nigerians against focusing solely on cheaper prices, arguing that unrealistic pricing could ultimately lead to deeper supply problems.
He said: “We must stabilize PMS pricing. Our appeal to Nigerians is: don’t let a cheap price deceive you. If pricing is not accurate, the effects will show in the coming weeks and months.”
NNPCL and several other stations have reduced fuel prices twice in the last two weeks, bringing pump prices in the Abuja area to between ₦920 and ₦945.
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