Fuels Price War: NNPC Slashes Petrol to N815/litre in Abuja as Dangote-MRS Undercuts at N739
…..Modest cut masks fierce battle for market control amid deregulation puqsh
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Sunday, quietly slashed the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, to N815 per litre at its retail outlets in Abuja, down from N835.
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Spot checks by our correspondent across the Federal Capital Territory on Monday morning confirmed the new price already displayed at several NNPCL stations, including Wuse Zone 6, Wuse Zone 4, Keffi-Abuja Road corridor and Kubwa Expressway.
Attendants at these outlets, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the adjustment took effect between Sunday night and early Monday, without any official announcement from the state oil giant.
Dangote-Backed MRS Sets New Benchmark, Despite the N20 reduction, NNPCL’s price remains higher than the ¹111¹N739 per litre charged at MRS stations supplied by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
With over 2,000 MRS outlets nationwide, the lower price has become a magnet for price-sensitive motorists and commercial drivers, creating a N76-N79 gap that is driving customers away from NNPCL pumps.
Industry sources attributed Dangote Refinery’s aggressive pricing to its recent gantry (ex-depot) cut to about N699 per litre, which has forced a broader realignment in the downstream market.
Trail of December Cuts Intensifies Rivalry, This is NNPCL’s second price slash in weeks. On December 19, 2025, it reduced prices by N80 to N835 per litre in major cities, down from around N915, coinciding with Dangote’s entry via MRS at N739.
Independent marketers like BOVAS, AA Rano and MRS have since adjusted downwards, with pump prices ranging from N739 to N865 in various locations.
Private depots, including Dangote’s, now offer ex-depot rates between N699 and N800, allowing retailers to trim margins competitively.
Falling Gantry Prices, FX Woes Drive Adjustments, Downstream operators and analysts point to three factors behind NNPCL’s move: declining gantry prices from suppliers, foreign exchange fluctuations and rising freight costs in a fully deregulated market.
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The firm is also battling to hold its influence as the market’s price leader, even without an official template post-deregulation.
Motorists Eye More Relief Amid Crisis, For Abuja drivers grappling with soaring transport costs, the N20 cut offers slim comfort.
Taxi operators and traders hailed it as a sign of potential further drops if competition heats up.
“We’ll watch closely; cheaper fuel means lower fares if it sticks,” one Kubwa-based cab driver told our reporter.
Consumer advocates urged vigilance, wa88rning against overpriced stations when alternatives abound.
With crude prices and naira volatility in play, the next moves by NNPCL, Dangote outlets and independents could deliver lasting pump relief, or prolong the war.
