Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: PMS

  • Regulator says petroleum vessel approvals are faster, with most clearances now under 24 hours

    Regulator says petroleum vessel approvals are faster, with most clearances now under 24 hours

    2026-01-02 09:00:00
    In an update published by Punch, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it has accelerated petroleum vessel clearance processes, reporting that most approvals are being granted in under 24 hours.

    The regulator presents the change as a throughput push to reduce delays that translate into higher landing costs, demurrage exposure and supply disruptions.

    Industry observers note that clearance speed only becomes meaningful if port-side coordination—terminal readiness, documentation and inspections—matches regulator timelines.

    Validation: MarketForces quoted the regulator’s service-level framing, noting “accelerated approvals and permits under clear service-level agreements.” Extractive360 also reported the same theme and described the push as “accelerating permits under clear service-level timelines.”

    Echotitbits take: If NMDPRA’s clearance gains are consistent, the downstream market benefits via steadier supply and lower friction costs. Watch for published performance data and whether Customs/NPA/terminal operators align—multi-agency alignment is the real test.

    Source: The Punch — 2026-01-02 (https://punchng.com/nmdpra-speeds-up-petroleum-vessel-clearance-processes/)
    The Punch 2026-01-02

    Photo Credit: Premium Time

  • NNPC stays in the black as price war pushes pump price under ₦800

    NNPC stays in the black as price war pushes pump price under ₦800

    2026-01-01 06:05:00
    According to Punch, NNPC Ltd reported ₦502bn profit after tax for November 2025, extending its profitability streak amid shifting market conditions.

    Reporting by the outlet indicates gas output and infrastructure availability supported performance, even as upstream volumes remained constrained.

    The same report linked the downstream “price war” to NNPC retail cuts that pushed PMS prices below ₦800/litre in some locations, intensifying competition.

    TheCable also reported the monthly performance, quoting the profit figure and noting output movement in November 2025.

    APA News similarly referenced the update and quoted language attributing results to improved gas production and stronger trading performance.

    Echotitbits take:

    If NNPC keeps pricing aggressively to defend market share, watch for tighter station supply cycles, margin compression across marketers, and renewed debate on how “deregulated” pricing should work when the biggest player also plays stabilizer.

    Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/nnpc-posts-n502bn-profit-cuts-petrol-below-n800-litre/)

    The Punch 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • N739/Litre Dangote Petrol Sparks Rush at MRS Stations

    N739/Litre Dangote Petrol Sparks Rush at MRS Stations

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 09:20:00

    As detailed by The Punch, the sale of Dangote-refined petrol at about N739 per litre at some MRS outlets triggered long queues, as motorists sought cheaper fuel amid higher prevailing pump prices elsewhere. The rush reflects both price sensitivity and the market’s hunt for stable supply points.

    The report suggests queues built quickly in locations where the N739 pricing was visible, with customers traveling between stations to confirm availability—typical behavior in Nigeria’s downstream market when a meaningful price gap opens.

    The development also highlights distribution reality: price reductions can create localized demand spikes that supply logistics may struggle to match in the short term, raising the risk of stockouts and opportunistic price deviations.

    On validation, Nairametrics reported a monitoring push, quoting a call to “report any MRS station selling above N739 per litre,” while Vanguard captured commuter reactions describing the pricing move as a “laudable intervention” and “timely relief” amid cost pressures.

    Echotitbits take: Cheap fuel without stable volume quickly becomes chaos. Watch whether supply scales (more stations, more trucks, steadier replenishment) and whether regulators/marketers enforce price discipline to stop “N739 on paper, N850 at the nozzle.”

    Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/n739-litre-dangote-petrol-causes-queues-at-mrs-stations/)

    The Punch 2025-12-25

  • Marketers say fuel imports still needed as Dangote refinery output rises

    Marketers say fuel imports still needed as Dangote refinery output rises

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-24 07:00:00

    According to Punch, petroleum marketers argue that even with rising local refining capacity, Nigeria’s fuel supply needs cannot be met by one refinery alone—making imports and multiple supply channels necessary to prevent shortages and price shocks.

    The argument is partly about volume and partly about resilience: a single-point supply system increases vulnerability to maintenance downtime, feedstock disruptions, logistics bottlenecks, or regulatory disputes.

    Marketers also warn that policy choices that squeeze out importers too aggressively could reduce competition and create a supply monopoly—potentially weakening price discipline over time.

    The story lands amid a broader debate: how quickly Nigeria can transition from import dependence to domestic refining dominance without destabilising the downstream market.

    Premium Times cited regulators arguing the refinery “cannot meet… daily consumption demand,” while Reuters has reported Dangote’s ramp-up alongside policy shifts aimed at discouraging imports—fueling warnings about monopoly risk if competition collapses.

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s endgame should be diversified domestic supply—not “one refinery, one market.” Watch for transparent supply statistics (daily volumes), open access to storage/jetty infrastructure, and fair competition rules that prevent cartel behaviour on either side (importers vs refiners).

    Source: The Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/dangote-alone-cant-meet-nigerias-fuel-demands-marketers-insist/)
    The Punch 2025-12-24

  • Nigeria’s Petrol Supply Jumps to 71.5m Litres Daily as Imports Rise

    Nigeria’s Petrol Supply Jumps to 71.5m Litres Daily as Imports Rise

    Photo Credit: Vanguard
    2025-12-23 09:00:00

    Figures cited by Vanguard show Nigeria’s petrol supply rose sharply in November 2025, climbing to 71.5 million litres per day from 46 million litres per day in October.

    The report attributes the spike largely to import volumes—especially shipments linked to NNPC—aimed at rebuilding inventory and preventing scarcity during end-of-year peak demand.

    At the same time, regulators’ data suggest consumption also rose, reinforcing the view that the market remains supply-sensitive despite “price war” headlines and the gradual scaling of local refining.

    The broader implication is that import dependence is still doing the heavy lifting whenever domestic production or distribution falls below demand thresholds.

    Validation: The Punch notes, “The sharp increase… in November helped push total national PMS supply to a record 71.5 million litres per day.” Daily Post similarly reports that “total petrol supply in Nigeria rose to 71.5 million litres per day in November…”

    Echotitbits take: Watch December/January inventory and whether supply stability translates into sustained pump-price discipline nationwide. Also watch refinery utilisation—because a supply surge powered by imports is not the same as energy security.

    Source: Vanguard — December 23, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/petrol-supply-rises-55-to-71-5m-litres-daily/)
    Vanguard 2025-12-23

  • Dangote Refinery Urges Nigerians to Reject Petrol Prices Above ₦739/Litre

    Dangote Refinery Urges Nigerians to Reject Petrol Prices Above ₦739/Litre

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-23 09:00:00

    In a consumer advisory cited by The Punch, Dangote Petroleum Refinery is urging Nigerians to stop buying petrol above ₦739 per litre, arguing that locally refined PMS should reach end-users at a lower price through its retail channels.

    The refinery says the goal is to prevent “middlemen pricing” from swallowing announced reductions, especially in high-demand corridors where price spikes often persist even after depot adjustments.

    It also introduced a reporting mechanism aimed at naming and shaming stations that sell above the advised ceiling, presenting the effort as consumer protection and market discipline.

    If the call gains traction, it could intensify downstream competition—pushing marketers to either match the price band or clearly justify premiums linked to logistics and location.

    Validation: Vanguard quoted the refinery saying, “We encourage Nigerians to avoid buying PMS… at ₦739 per litre… Report any MRS station selling above ₦739.” Legit.ng similarly quoted: “We encourage Nigerians to avoid buying PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.”

    Echotitbits take: This is a stress test of Nigeria’s retail transparency. Watch whether enforcement is consumer-led (hotlines + publicity) or regulator-led (monitoring + penalties), and whether rural/remote pricing remains a loophole.

    Source: The Punch — December 23, 2025 (https://punchng.com/stop-buying-petrol-above-n739-litre-dangote-tells-nigerians/)
    The Punch 2025-12-23

  • Dangote petrol rollout: ₦739/litre hits MRS outlets as supply test begins

    Dangote petrol rollout: ₦739/litre hits MRS outlets as supply test begins

    Photo credit: The Punch
    2025-12-22 09:00:00

    In an update published by *The Punch*, Dangote Refinery has begun a nationwide petrol price rollout tied to its distribution arrangement with MRS Oil outlets, putting pump price at about ₦739 per litre in participating stations.

    The move is being positioned as a stabilisation push—aimed at reducing downstream volatility, narrowing price dispersion across regions, and increasing locally refined supply into retail channels.

    Market watchers say the real test will be continuity of supply and whether other marketers match the pricing—especially in high-transport-cost corridors where pump prices typically climb.

    For consumers, the announcement lands as a pocketbook story: transport costs, food logistics, and small-business energy spending often respond quickly to fuel pricing shifts.

    Channels TV reported Dangote’s statement that “Starting from Tuesday, MRS will start selling petrol at N739/litre,” while Vanguard also reported the refinery “commenced nationwide sales… at a pump price of N739 per litre” via MRS outlets.

    **Echotitbits take:** This is not just a price headline—it’s a supply-chain stress test. Watch for (1) sustained volumes, (2) whether queues return, and (3) how regulators respond if pricing triggers new tension among marketers.

    Source: The Punch — December 22, 2025 (https://punchng.com/dangote-launches-n739-litre-petrol-at-mrs-stations-nationwide/)

  • MRS stations begin ₦739 petrol sales in Lagos as marketers push back

    MRS stations begin ₦739 petrol sales in Lagos as marketers push back

    Photo Credit: Punch
    2025-12-17

    As pump prices remain a major political and household issue, MRS filling stations in Lagos have begun selling petrol at ₦739 per litre, triggering long queues and renewed debate about how quickly price cuts reach consumers.

    The development follows Dangote Refinery’s gantry price reduction and an effort to push retail prices lower through selected partners. However, marketers’ groups — including PETROAN — have criticised aspects of the rollout and the market disruption it could cause.

    For consumers, the immediate story is relief at the pump (where available) and confusion elsewhere as competing stations adjust prices or pause sales to manage supply and crowd control.

    For the industry, the key question is whether the ₦739 benchmark becomes nationwide — or remains a limited, Lagos‑first price in the face of logistics, inventory and competitive pressures.

    Vanguard: “Starting from Tuesday, MRS will start selling petrol at ₦739 per litre. We will enforce that low price…” Dangote said.

    P.M. News: “From Tuesday, MRS will begin selling petrol at ₦739 per litre. We will ensure that price is enforced and implemented,” Dangote said.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If the price cut holds and spreads, it will reset expectations across the downstream market. Watch for wider station participation, any regulatory guidance on pricing/competition, and whether supply disruptions emerge from sudden demand spikes.

    Source: Punch — December 17, 2025 — https://punchng.com/mrs-begins-n739-litre-petrol-sales-petroan-kicks/

     

  • Dangote partners move to N739/litre petrol as price-cut campaign widens

    Dangote partners move to N739/litre petrol as price-cut campaign widens

    2025-12-15 08:00:00

    According to The Punch, partners of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery including MRS are set to begin retailing petrol around ₦739 per litre, following a reduction in the refinery’s ex-depot price and renewed pressure to reflect lower costs at the pump.

    The report says Aliko Dangote argued that some outlets keep prices elevated even after gantry cuts, and that the refinery will push supply and enforcement—starting with partner stations—to make the new pricing regime visible to consumers.

    Punch also reports Dangote raised concerns about the issuance of import licences and warned that continued large-scale imports could undercut local refining investments, especially as refineries scale output into 2026.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If the pump price resets stick, it will test how quickly pricing transmits from depot to retail and how regulators manage imports versus local supply. Watch for independent marketers’ adoption rate, regional pricing gaps, and any policy moves on import licences or crude allocation.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025

    The Punch https://punchng.com/dangote-names-n739-as-new-petrol-pump-price/ December 15, 2025

  • Dangote Refinery Slashes Ex-Depot Petrol Price to ₦699 per Litre

    Dangote Refinery Slashes Ex-Depot Petrol Price to ₦699 per Litre

    Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a major cut in its ex-depot petrol price, dropping from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre in what is described as one of its most significant downward reviews this year. The refinery is also rolling out a 10‑day credit window for marketers who lift a minimum of 500,000 litres backed by bank guarantees.

    The company says the adjustment reflects improved supply conditions and its commitment to easing the burden on Nigerians grappling with high pump prices after subsidy removal. Industry players say any reduction at the gantry should, in principle, translate to cheaper fuel at filling stations if middlemen do not hoard the gains.

    Economic analysts, however, caution that exchange-rate volatility and distribution margins could still limit how much relief consumers feel at the pump. They also note that Dangote’s growing dominance in local refining makes its pricing decisions a key variable in Nigeria’s inflation outlook.

    Source: The Nation – “Dangote refinery slashes ex-depot petrol price from ₦828/litre to ₦699/litre”.