Motorists crowd MRS stations supplied by Dangote Refinery as the lower N739/litre petrol price undercuts market rates, causing long queues nationwide

Persistent long queues at MRS filling stations supplied by the Dangote Refinery have been linked to the comparatively lower pump price of petrol, which continues to attract motorists across major cities.

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) explained that the N739 per litre price at these outlets is significantly below prevailing market rates, making them a preferred choice for consumers seeking relief from rising fuel costs.

IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike told Nairametrics that the price differential largely accounts for congestion at Dangote-backed stations.

“Nigerians are naturally drawn to cheaper petroleum products, especially amid sustained economic pressures,” he said.

Ukadike added that independent marketers cannot realistically sell petrol below the N739 per litre benchmark without incurring losses, and if they did, the queues at such outlets would be even longer.

In December 2025, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote announced a uniform petrol price of N739 per litre from the refinery.

Since then, most other filling stations in Nigeria have been selling petrol between N815 and N839 per litre, intensifying competition in the retail fuel market.

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The price gap has increased demand at MRS stations, with many consumers willing to endure extended waiting times in order to access cheaper fuel, reflecting the significant role of pricing in driving consumer behaviour in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.