Cheap, durable petrol keeps motorists on long queues

For millions of Nigerian motorists, the sight of long, winding queues at petrol stations has become an all-too-familiar routine.

However, a combination of cheap and durable petrol has now left drivers waiting hours to fill their tanks at MRS, Ardova Plc and Heyden Petroleum.

These three prominent players in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector have a bulk purchase agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery, allowing them to lift petroleum products from the Dangote refinery facility.

A recent video released by a male influencer claiming to show the superiority of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from the Dangote refinery over that of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has generated controversies across stakeholders in Nigeria’s downstream sector.

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A video posted by @valorreviews on TikTok showed a man using two small tiger generators, popularly called ‘I better pass my neighbour’ in Nigeria, comparing the running time of petrol from MRS and NNPC.

The video claimed that Dangote-refined petrol sold by MRS Oil lasts longer than the PMS available at NNPC stations and is more affordable.

He then tested both fuels in identical new generators, noting that the NNPCL-sourced fuel lasted 17 minutes, while the Dangote fuel ran for 33 minutes.

The video quickly generated reactions, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences regarding fuel quality from different suppliers.

“I left home at 6 am just to be among the first in line,” Samuel Okonkwo, a commercial bus driver tapping his steering wheel impatiently, told BusinessDay. “I’d rather wait than buy fuel that burns out too quickly.”

BusinessDay’s findings showed many Nigerians are now more particular about where they buy petrol as PMS prices fluctuate amid cost-of-living crises.

Mariam Sulaiman, a ride-hailing driver with Uber, recalled learning it the hard way.

“I bought fuel from a random station once, and my tank emptied in just two days. Since then, I only buy from this MRS station, even if it means waiting in long queues.”

Similar scenes played out in Ibadan, Oyo State. Where queues stretched for kilometers as drivers lined up for hours, hoping to fill their tanks.

“I heard the fuel here is not only cheaper but also lasts longer. With the way things are going, I can’t afford to miss this opportunity,” said Tunde Adewale, a taxi driver who had been waiting for over two hours at a station in the Mokola area.

The trend has led to an unusual pattern: Some fuel stations have snaking queues, while others are nearly empty.

Attendants at high-demand stations say they now brace for long hours, as motorists rush in quite early to secure what they believe is better fuel.

“Some customers even come from the Mainland just to buy here,” said Chinedu Uzordike, a pump attendant at one of Lagos’ busiest stations.

For many Nigerians, the hunt for cheaper fuel has become a daily struggle. Motorists share tips on social media about which stations have fuel and at what price, creating a sense of community.

Read also: Dangote reduces petrol price by N65 to N825 per litre

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and regulatory bodies insist that all petrol sold in the country meets the required standards.

“It is important to emphasise that a significant percentage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold at NNPC retail stations in Lagos—where this deceptive video was created — is sourced from the Dangote Refinery, a strategic partner in promoting local production and energy security,” Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s chief corporate communications officer, said.

But Keke Napep riders like Olajide Adesanya and Adeola Yusuf told BusinessDay they remain unconvinced, relying instead on word-of-mouth recommendations and personal experience.

“Time is money,” Adesanya said, adjusting his seat as he inched forward in the queue. “But in this case, waiting a little longer helps me save a lot more.”

Just recently, the Dangote refinery announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) petrol price by N65, from N890 to N825 per litre, effective February 27.

This is the second price reduction in the new year, and the third one in a space of two months.

“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians,” Dangote refinery further said.