Arewa Groups Commend Dangote Refinery Amid Global Oil Market Pressures

 The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups has commended the Dangote Petroleum Refinery for helping to moderate petrol prices amid mounting pressures in the global oil market.

Jabir Maiturare, Coordinator of the coalition, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna, describing domestic refining as a critical pillar of Nigeria's energy security.

According to Maiturare, geopolitical tensions, disruptions to global refining capacity, and fluctuations in international crude oil prices have placed significant strain on petroleum markets worldwide. He cited recent international reports pointing to substantial supply constraints, with refineries in several regions grappling with disruptions that have affected petroleum product markets globally.

"Against this backdrop, the coalition recognised the strategic importance of having a large-scale domestic refinery capable of supplying the Nigerian market," the statement read, noting that such a facility helps reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported petroleum products while limiting the country's exposure to international market shocks.

The coalition specifically praised Dangote Refinery for maintaining a petrol price that remains competitive against imported alternatives. Citing recent industry data, it noted that Dangote's petrol gantry price stood at ₦1,265 per litre, compared to an import-parity benchmark of approximately ₦1,310.64 per litre — giving locally refined petrol a price advantage of roughly ₦45.64 per litre.

Maiturare said this development underscores the growing importance of domestic refining to Nigeria's economic security and energy independence, noting that refining crude locally helps reduce exposure to international shipping costs, foreign exchange pressures, and other expenses tied to importing finished petroleum products.

The coalition described Dangote Refinery as an increasingly vital component of Nigeria's energy-security framework, noting that the facility currently operates at a capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day, with plans to expand to 1.4 million barrels per day. According to the coalition, this planned expansion could significantly strengthen Nigeria's position as a major refining and petroleum-products hub on the continent.

The group called on government agencies, oil marketers, organised labour, civil society organisations and consumers to support policies that encourage domestic refining. It also urged stakeholders to work toward improving crude supply to Nigerian refineries and fostering a more competitive downstream petroleum market.

Additionally, the coalition urged petroleum marketers to ensure that price reductions recorded at the refinery and wholesale levels are properly reflected in retail prices, so that ordinary Nigerians can directly benefit from the gains associated with increased domestic refining capacity.

Maiturare encouraged the refinery to maintain transparency, responsible pricing, and a continued commitment to domestic energy security, stressing that strengthening local refining capacity remains essential to shielding Nigeria from international petroleum-market shocks.

"At a time when many countries remain vulnerable to international petroleum-market shocks, strengthening Nigeria's domestic refining capacity is an important step toward energy independence," he said, adding that the development would also contribute to broader economic resilience and national development.