Many motorists across Nigeria are increasingly avoiding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sourced from the Dangote Refinery as several filling stations—particularly MRS outlets—continue to sell the product at higher pump prices than competing stations.
A growing number of drivers in Abuja told reporters that they prefer to buy fuel from outlets offering lower prices, resulting in visibly reduced patronage at MRS stations. According to a report by the Daily Post, this shift in consumer preference has been most apparent in major districts such as Kubwa and Lugbe.
During visits to the affected stations, PMS was found to be selling for ₦945 per litre at MRS outlets. This price point is notably higher than that of nearby competitors, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) stations and AA RANO outlets, where pump prices have recently been adjusted downward to ₦920 per litre.
An MRS station manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the elevated price has been a major deterrent for customers since early November 2025. According to him, management had issued a directive to reduce the price to ₦920, aligning it with other marketers, but the instruction had not yet been executed. He noted that sales have dipped sharply and that queues—once common—have almost disappeared.
“We’ve seen a significant drop in patronage because our price is higher,” the manager explained. “There was a circular asking us to reduce the pump price, but it hasn’t been implemented. We hope the adjustment is made soon so customers can return.”
The pricing challenges persist despite the Dangote Refinery offering a relatively competitive ex-depot rate of ₦826 per litre as of December 8, 2025. This figure is in the same range as other key suppliers: Aiteo at ₦825 and MENJ at ₦835. However, market dynamics, transportation costs, and internal pricing structures at retail outlets appear to be influencing the final pump prices seen by consumers.
Industry stakeholders say the situation reflects a broader challenge in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, emphasized that unstable pricing remains a serious concern. He urged Nigerians not to be swayed solely by unusually low pump prices, warning that prices set below sustainable levels could worsen future supply conditions.
“We need consistency in PMS pricing,” he said. “A price may look attractive today, but if it’s not realistic, the negative impact will become clear in the coming weeks and months.”
In the last two weeks, NNPCL and several independent marketers have adjusted their pump prices downward twice, bringing general fuel prices in the Abuja metropolis to between ₦920 and ₦945 per litre. Despite these reductions, some outlets—particularly MRS—continue to struggle with reduced customer traffic as consumers opt for stations offering more affordable options.
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