From Lagos-Nigeria, a move that could reshape Nigeria’s fuel economy and ease the pain of rising living costs, the Dangote Refinery has announced that it will begin a nationwide free fuel distribution programme on Monday, while also slashing petrol prices to N841 per litre in Lagos and across the South West.
The initiative, confirmed in a statement by Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, is expected to roll out first in Lagos, the wider South West, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), as well as Kwara, Delta, Rivers and Edo States.
“We are starting the free fuel distribution scheme on Monday. We will start with Lagos and the South West, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Rivers and Edo States. There will be a drop in price effective on Monday when the free distribution starts,” Chiejina said.
To many Nigerians, the announcement represents a rare dose of optimism in a year marked by fuel scarcity, inflation, and the removal of petrol subsidies that have pushed household costs to record highs. With petrol currently selling above N1000 per litre in some states, Dangote’s N841-N851 pricing could save consumers hundreds of naira per refill.
Commuters, small business owners and transport operators, many of whom have seen daily earnings wiped out by soaring costs, are expected to benefit most immediately. A lot of commercial drivers across Lagos, Southwestern States and Nigeria, will embrace this announcement with a breathe of ease, as the first good news heard in months over the fuel course, since subsidy removal.
The scheme, which was initially slated to begin in August, had faced delays due to logistics challenges tied to equipment deliveries from China. But with the refinery now receiving over 1,000 fuel trucks, operations are finally set to commence. More states are expected to benefit as additional trucks arrive in the country, widening the reach of the scheme.
The refinery’s move comes at a politically sensitive time. With public frustration rising over the cost of living, food inflation, and fuel shortages, Dangote’s announcement may ease pressure on both households and government policymakers.
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