Why Motorists Are Switching Fuel Stations
A fierce price war in Nigeria’s petroleum market is causing a major shift in consumer preference, as many motorists abandon Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) outlets in favor of MRS filling stations, which supply Dangote Refinery’s petrol.
Reports from Abuja show that NNPCL stations, once packed with long queues, are now seeing a drastic drop in patronage. Meanwhile, MRS stations are experiencing an unprecedented surge in customers.
Price vs. Quality: What’s Driving the Shift?
According to findings, the key reason for this switch is pricing—with MRS selling at ₦945 per liter, compared to NNPCL’s ₦965 per liter. However, some motorists believe that Dangote petrol lasts longer, making it a better value for money.
Motorists Speak Out
Several Abuja residents and taxi drivers shared their experiences:
✅ Ali Mohammed: “Dangote petrol lasts longer and is cheaper. I used to buy from NNPC, but I get better mileage with MRS.”
✅ Kunle Abdulrahman: “NNPC fuel dries faster. The price at MRS is more favorable, so that’s my choice.”
✅ Oluwatobi Esther: “A friend recommended MRS to me, and I’ve noticed better performance since switching.”
MRS Station Manager Confirms Surge in Sales
Musa Aliyu, a manager at an MRS filling station along the Kubwa Expressway, confirmed that demand has skyrocketed:
“Queues at our filling stations have been unprecedented lately. I think it’s due to the cheaper price and the quality of the fuel.”
NNPCL Responds to Claims
Despite allegations of lower fuel efficiency, an anonymous NNPCL fuel attendant insisted that the issue is strictly pricing-related, not quality:
“If NNPC reduces its price to ₦935, you will see long queues again. It’s not about quality.”
Meanwhile, NNPCL has dismissed allegations that its fuel burns out faster, calling the claims baseless and threatening legal action against false reports.
Industry Expert: It’s All About Price
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), emphasized that price competition is the driving factor:
“Motorists care more about price than fuel quality. This shift is the expected result of deregulation.”
The Bigger Picture: Deregulation & Market Competition
The fuel market shake-up highlights the growing competition in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream oil sector. While some stations sell fuel for as high as ₦1,000 per liter, Dangote’s entry is already disrupting the market—forcing competitors to reconsider their pricing strategies.
What’s Next?
With price-sensitive motorists leading the charge, the NNPCL vs. Dangote petrol battle is far from over. Will NNPC reduce prices to win back customers, or will Dangote continue to dominate? Only time will tell.
