Nigeria’s downstream oil sector is facing renewed tensions as refinery operators, petroleum marketers, and truck drivers’ unions clash over pricing and operations. The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has warned that these disputes, particularly involving the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, could threaten the country’s push toward self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.

CORAN called on the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to cooperate with domestic refineries instead of making public accusations. DAPPMAN had alleged that Dangote refinery was deliberately lowering petrol prices to eliminate competitors, a claim the Dangote Group dismissed as misleading.

The association emphasized that while competition is healthy, ongoing disagreements risk derailing a historic opportunity to transform Nigeria’s refining sector. “For decades, Nigeria relied on imports for refined fuels despite being Africa’s top crude producer, draining foreign exchange and enriching middlemen,” CORAN said. The emergence of large-scale and modular refineries, including Dangote, signals a shift toward a domestic-focused industry.

CORAN also highlighted that marketers and depot operators remain critical to the sector, particularly in logistics, storage, distribution, and last-mile delivery. The group urged stakeholders to see themselves as partners in the refining ecosystem to remain relevant in the evolving market.

Senator Steve Karimi of Kogi West intervened, calling on the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association to negotiate rather than resort to industrial action. He warned that disruptions could reverse gains made since the removal of fuel subsidies and the commissioning of local refineries, which have reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imports and strengthened the naira.

Karimi praised President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment through negotiated crude supply agreements and urged unions to resolve grievances constructively, ensuring stable and affordable fuel supply for Nigerians.

Industry analysts note that cooperation between refineries, marketers, and unions is crucial. If stakeholders work together, Nigeria could benefit from lower fuel prices, job creation, and foreign exchange savings. CORAN concluded that rivalries must not stall the refining revolution, which remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.