A growing controversy over the circulation of substandard petrol in the market has left consumers and industry experts questioning the silence of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This came amid allegations from a viral video that the petrol from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) doesn’t last long in fuel tanks.
The problem
A video posted by @valorreviews on TikTok showed a man using two small tiger generators, popularly called ‘I better pass my neighbour’ in Nigeria, to compare the running time of MRS and NNPC premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.
The video claimed that Dangote-refined petrol sold by MRS Oil lasts longer than the PMS available at NNPC stations and, in addition, is more affordable.
“MRS petrol stations have a partnership with Dangote Refinery, meaning you can buy locally refined fuel from them. I went to their station at Alapere, Lagos, and I got 1 litre for N925,” the man in the viral video said.
Read also: MRS drops petrol price by N10 to N925/litre
“For comparison, I also bought fuel from NNPC in Ojojubega, Lagos, and it cost 945 naira per litre. That’s 20 naira more than the MRS fuel. Now, looking at both fuels, the Dangote fuel looks a little bit darker.
“And after 17 minutes and 51 seconds, the generator running on NNPC fuel died (sic) first. Meanwhile, the generator using MRS fuel kept running for 30 minutes.
“That’s a 13-minute difference, a big deal, especially when it’s cheaper. So yeah, it looks like the Dangote-refined fuel actually lasts longer than the fuel you get from at least NNPC, and again, it is cheaper.”
Regulator under fire
The NMDPRA, the regulator responsible for ensuring fuel quality and safety, has yet to issue a public statement concerning the petrol allegedly bought from an NNPC outlet, compared with another bought from MRS filling station, which sells petrol from the Dangote refinery.
This silence has drawn sharp criticism from industry stakeholders and consumer advocacy groups.
“The regulator’s role is to protect consumers and ensure compliance with standards. Their inaction in this situation is deeply concerning,” a senior oil executive told BusinessDay. “If substandard fuel is circulating, it poses not just a financial burden to motorists but also a safety risk.”
Aisha Mohammed, an energy analyst at the Lagos-based Centre for Development Studies, said the silence of the NMDPRA is deafening.
“When consumers are facing such a serious issue, the regulator has a responsibility to investigate, provide information, and take appropriate action to protect the public,” Mohammed said.
Sources within the petroleum industry suggest that without official confirmation from the NMDPRA, the viral claims remain unverified.
Retailers defend NNPC’s product
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has defended the petroleum products sold by NNPC, saying they are of global standards.
In a statement issued by Joseph Obele, national public relations officer, the association urged the public to disregard the experiment in the viral video, describing it as fabricated.
Read also: Retailers can’t yet reduce petrol price despite Dangote refinery cut – PETROAN
“We are confident in the quality of petroleum products supplied by NNPCL, which adheres to strict industry standards. We urge the public to disregard fabricated content and rely on verified sources for accurate information,” the statement read.
The statement also contained inferences from laboratory tests reportedly conducted on NNPCL’s petrol.
“Following an online viral video making such claims, PETROAN conducted rigorous testing on NNPCL’s petroleum products and confirmed that they meet the highest industry standards.
“As part of our oversight function in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, PETROAN engages independent standard laboratories to test and verify the quality of petroleum products before lifting from any depot or refinery. Our comprehensive tests include flash point, density, viscosity, sulfur content, water content, and ash content tests,” Obele noted.
It was stated that NNPCL’s petrol exceeds the minimum requirement from flash point test, indicating a low risk of ignition.
On density test, it noted that NNPCL’s petrol meets prescribed density standards, ensuring optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency
It was added that petrol from the nation’s oil firm passed the viscosity test, falling within the acceptable range, ensuring smooth engine operation and minimising wear and tear.
On the sulfur content test, PETROAN noted that NNPCL’s petrol meets regulatory limits, reducing the risk of engine corrosion and environmental pollution.
It added that the petrol from NNPCL’s outlets passed the water content test, which was “well below maximum allowable limit, ensuring fuel stability and preventing engine problems.”
It noted that NNPCL’s petrol meets regulatory limits of ash content, reducing the risk of engine wear and tear.
PETROAN encouraged healthy competition among industry players, urging them to focus on “improving products and services, investing in research and development, and prioritizing customer satisfaction.”
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