For millions of Nigerian drivers, long queues at fuel stations have become a frustrating but familiar part of daily life. However, a recent trend has seen drivers waiting in exceptionally long lines at MRS, Ardova Plc, and Heyden Petroleum stations—companies that get their petrol directly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
These three key players in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector have secured a bulk purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery, allowing them to supply petrol refined locally, which many drivers now believe to be more durable and cost-effective than other options.
A recent viral video on TikTok, posted by the user @valorreviews, has fueled debates about petrol quality across Nigeria. In the video, a man compares petrol from MRS—sourced from Dangote Refinery—against petrol from Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) by using two identical small generators, commonly known as ‘I better pass my neighbour’.
It was seen that the generator running on the NNPC-sourced fuel lasted 17 minutes, while the one powered by Dangote-refined fuel ran for 33 minutes—nearly twice as long. The video quickly gained interest, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences regarding fuel efficiency.
For many motorists, fuel quality is no longer just about price, it’s about durability. “I left home at 6 AM just to be among the first in line,” said Samuel Okonkwo, a commercial bus driver tapping his steering wheel impatiently. “I’d rather wait than buy fuel that burns too fast.”
Mariam Sulaiman, a ride-hailing driver, recalled learning this lesson 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.”
This pattern isn’t just happening in Lagos. In Ibadan, drivers have been lining up for hours at select stations, with the believe that they offer superior fuel.
Tunde Adewale, a taxi driver who had been waiting over two hours at a fuel station in Mokola said “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.”
Interestingly, while some fuel stations are swamped with long queues, others remain nearly empty. “Some customers even come from the Mainland just to buy here,” said Chinedu Uzordike, a pump attendant at a high-traffic Lagos station.
Motorists have turned to social media to share real-time updates on where to find the best fuel deals, creating an online community dedicated to navigating fluctuating petrol prices.
Despite growing skepticism, NNPC and regulatory bodies insist that all petrol sold in Nigeria meets the required quality standards.
Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, clarified that “It is important to emphasize that a significant percentage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold at NNPC retail stations in Lagos, where this misleading video was created, is sourced from the Dangote Refinery, which is a strategic partner in promoting local production and energy security.”
Still, many motorists remain unconvinced, preferring to rely on personal experience and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Olajide Adesanya, a Keke Napep rider said, “Time is money, but in this case, waiting a little longer helps me save a lot more.”
Recently, the Dangote Refinery announced a reduction in its ex-depot (gantry) petrol price by ₦65, lowering it from ₦890 to ₦825 per litre, effective February 27.
This marks the second price reduction of the year and the third in just two months. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians,” the refinery stated.
As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, Nigerian motorists are left weighing the trade-off between cost and quality, hoping that local refining will eventually bring long-term stability to the market.
