The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has directed its members nationwide to prioritise purchasing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, solely from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, citing its competitive pricing and strategic importance in achieving domestic fuel self-sufficiency.
In a strongly worded statement, IPMAN National President Elder Abubakar Maigandi Shettima urged all members to patronise the Dangote facility, describing it as offering "the best affordable price for all marketers today."
He stressed that supporting local refining would help reduce Nigeria's heavy reliance on imported fuel, which continues to strain foreign exchange reserves and undermine local investments.
The directive gains further momentum with an upcoming logistical upgrade: From January 2026, Dangote Refinery will commence direct supplies of PMS to registered IPMAN members, complete with free delivery to filling stations across the country.
This arrangement is anticipated to streamline distribution, enhance supply reliability, and potentially drive down retail pump prices.
IPMAN, which dominates over 80% of Nigeria's petrol retail outlets, condemned the ongoing importation of fuel as unsustainable and detrimental.
Shettima described the "reckless" issuance of import licences as harmful to the economy, arguing that it destroys jobs, discourages investment, and distorts market dynamics.
"Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model," he declared, calling on regulators to fully back local production.
Looking ahead, IPMAN revealed ambitious plans to venture into refinery ownership.
The association appealed to the new leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to introduce policies enabling independent marketers to invest in and operate their own refineries, thereby expanding Nigeria's domestic refining capacity.
Shettima commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recent leadership reshuffles at key regulatory agencies, saying they have fostered an enabling environment for collaborations like the strengthened partnership with Dangote Refinery.
"The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians," he added.
The association also drew attention to lingering challenges, including over ₦190 billion in unpaid bridging claims owed to its members by the government.
Analysts view this development as a pivotal shift towards energy independence, especially as Nigeria's state-owned refineries remain largely non-operational.
The deepened ties between IPMAN and Dangote Refinery are expected to improve fuel availability nationwide and contribute to price stabilisation in the months ahead.
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