The battle between Dangote Refinery and DAPPMAN has intensified, with Africa’s largest refinery daring petroleum marketers to go to court over a ₦1.5 trillion subsidy demand.
In a statement Wednesday, Dangote dismissed the marketers’ ultimatum as a ploy to revive a subsidy regime that “bled Nigeria’s economy for years.”
Inside the ₦1.5 Trillion Fuel War

DAPPMAN insists government must cover logistics costs that add ₦75 per litre, including freight, NIMASA charges, and NPA fees. Dangote argues this would amount to subsidising inefficiency, saying marketers should lift products directly from its gantry at competitive rates.
Who Pays the Price?
While Dangote boasts of 500m litres in stock and recent exports, marketers say imports remain necessary to meet demand. The standoff risks fueling price volatility, with consumers caught between refinery pricing and depot logistics costs.
Dangote says it will continue supporting government reforms, but vows it will not “carry the subsidy burden.” The case may soon test Nigeria’s oil politics in the courts.
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