The intense price war between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and NNPC Retail Limited has sharply reduced petrol prices across Nigeria’s downstream sector, but it appears to be triggering troubling consequences.
Industry reports reveal that many small and medium-sized fuel retailers are suffering heavy financial losses, with fears growing that they could soon be edged out by dominant players.
In separate interviews with Daily Sun, some transport operators lamented that pump tampering has become widespread as independent filling stations struggle to stay profitable.
Hakeem Oriade, a commercial tricycle operator, said, “At the moment, if I buy 10 litres of fuel, what I am getting in value is about eight litres.”
Another operator at the Oja Oba market motor park in Abule Egba, Mr. Adesina Odutade, confirmed the practice, noting that many tricycle drivers are now running at a loss due to fraudulent pump adjustments.
While consumers initially benefited from lower petrol prices, unethical practices and increasing pressure on small businesses now cast a shadow over the downstream sector’s competitiveness and integrity.
