As Dangote Refinery set to expand its fuel distribution nationwide, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has added its voice to the increasing number of industry stakeholders warning about the risks associated with market dominance by a single player.
Speaking on behalf of independent station owners nationwide, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry warned that several members are already experiencing pressure.
He said, “We’re not against Dangote’s success. But no single company should control refining, supply, distribution, and retail all at once.
“It’s a monopoly in the making, and it puts thousands of independent operators at risk.”
PETROAN stated that more than 10,000 authorised retail outlets rely on accessing fuel from the open market. This system risks falling apart if Dangote assumes complete control as the exclusive gatekeeper.
PETROAN and other stakeholders are now calling for, open access to loading depots and marine terminals, enforcement of anti-monopoly laws under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), fair pricing structures that allow independent marketers to compete, and support for third-party logistics, not just refinery-owned transport fleets.
They claim that these measures will safeguard the diversity of Nigeria’s fuel supply and prevent replacing a flawed subsidy system with a monopoly controlled by a single private sector player.
“This isn’t about envy, It’s about making sure the downstream sector remains inclusive, competitive, and sustainable for everyone, not just the biggest,” Gillis-Harry added.
