Nigerian motorists are turning away from NNPCL fuel stations due to high pump prices. In Abuja, these retail outlets are experiencing a noticeable drop in traffic. The current price of petrol at NNPCL stations remains at N910 per litre. Meanwhile, competitors have lowered their prices to attract more customers.

A visit to key NNPCL outlets in the capital—such as those on Kubwa Expressway and Wuse Zones 4 and 6—showed minimal activity. Stations that once saw long queues now operate with little to no waiting time. One Abuja motorist said, “I prefer to buy at other filling stations with fuel prices below N910 per litre.”

In recent days, several independent marketers have slashed their prices. Major players like MRS, AP Ardova, Bova, and Optima now sell at N895 per litre. Others, including Salbas and AA Rano, have reduced prices to N900 per litre. Even stations previously charging N917 per litre have adjusted to N910 to remain competitive.

This trend follows a new pricing framework reportedly introduced by Dangote Refinery. The goal appears to be to stabilize the market while giving marketers room to compete.

Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, confirmed the shift. “The disparity in prices in filling stations is due to the deregulation of the downstream sector. Filling stations now compete not only because of their brand but also their prices,” he said.

While other stations are adapting, NNPCL has not adjusted its pricing. The company is also dealing with a temporary shutdown of its Port Harcourt Refinery for maintenance. These factors have further limited its ability to respond to market shifts.

Unless NNPCL aligns its prices with market trends, motorists will likely continue to explore alternative fuel sources. For now, the message from consumers is clear: price matters.

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