The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has secured a direct supply agreement with Dangote Refinery, allowing its members to lift petroleum products directly from the refinery.
IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, made the announcement in Abuja on Monday, following a meeting with the Association’s National Working Committee. He highlighted that the partnership would ensure a steady and affordable supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country, helping to stabilize fuel availability.
After engaging with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, Garima said, “We are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to directly supply IPMAN with PMS, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) for distribution to our depots and retail outlets nationwide.”
Garima called on IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, emphasizing the benefits of backward integration and the positive impact the agreement will have on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. Regarding pricing, he expressed confidence that the negotiations would lead to more competitive rates, benefiting both marketers and consumers.
On the issue of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Garima revealed that the Association is preparing for a seamless transition to CNG refill stations nationwide, with ongoing negotiations with the Presidential CNG Initiative.
This partnership is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and stimulate economic growth within Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Dangote Refinery has pledged to begin supplying over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets across the country, which is expected to eliminate middlemen, streamline distribution, and ensure a reliable supply of petroleum products.
Concerns over product distribution challenges
Earlier, IPMAN had voiced concerns about the difficulty its members faced in lifting products from Dangote Refinery, despite having paid ₦40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). IPMAN claimed that its members were unable to load petrol from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
However, Dangote Refinery responded by refuting the claim, stating that it had not received any payments from IPMAN for the purchase of refined petroleum products. The refinery clarified that while discussions with IPMAN are ongoing, “it is misleading to suggest that IPMAN members are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them.”
The refinery further explained that any payments made by IPMAN were routed through NNPCL, not Dangote Refinery, and as such, it could not be held responsible for those transactions. Additionally, it noted that NNPCL had not authorized the release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.
Despite these misunderstandings, Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its capacity to meet Nigeria’s demand for petroleum products and encouraged IPMAN to register directly with the company and make payments through the proper channels for a smoother and more efficient supply process.
