The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed strong support for Dangote Refinery’s decision to begin free distribution of petrol and diesel across the country, describing it as a timely solution to long-standing challenges in the downstream sector.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Friday, June 20, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, praised Aliko Dangote for identifying the problems plaguing oil distribution in Nigeria and taking concrete steps to fix them.
“If you look at the Dangote statement, it is a strong policy statement,” Ukadike said. “If you read down that statement you will understand that he foresaw a lot of problems in the oil and gas industry and also decided to tackle it.”
He described the move as a major relief for independent marketers, saying it would bring cheaper fuel directly to their stations without the burden of extra logistics costs.
“It is something that we welcome with a lot of cheers because it is going to bring fuel cheaper at our doorpost,” he added.
Ukadike also highlighted the years of neglect that have plagued Nigeria’s fuel transportation infrastructure.
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“Our pipelines have gone for years, nobody is talking about the pipelines wired all over the country from all the whole 21 depots.
“Products are not being moved. We are suffering the brunt of bringing these products from the sea shores of the country where DAPMAN members have their tank farms,” he said.
“But if you look at Dangote’s statement you will see that a heavy load has been lifted out of the independent marketers,” Ukadike added.
The refinery had on Sunday announced plans to begin free delivery of petrol and diesel to marketers and other large users starting August 15, 2025.
As part of the initiative, Dangote Group disclosed it had acquired 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers to ensure smooth nationwide distribution.
However, the announcement drew criticism from the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), which claimed the move would hurt depot owners and transporters with existing supply deals to big clients.
Ukadike dismissed those concerns, insisting Dangote had every right to determine how his products are distributed.
“As a refinery, Dangote has the right to find a better way to get his products to the marketers,” he said.