Nigeria’s fuel supply chain is about to undergo a major shake-up as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announces it will begin direct delivery of petrol to oil marketers and industries starting August 15.

This bold move will bypass traditional depots and middlemen, allowing filling stations, companies, and key industries to receive petrol straight from the refinery gates. Industry watchers say this could reduce costs, cut delivery delays, and potentially lower pump prices for consumers.

Currently, petrol distribution often passes through multiple layers of handling, with depot owners and intermediaries adding their own margins before the product reaches the end user. By cutting these extra steps, the Dangote Refinery hopes to make the process faster, more transparent, and less prone to artificial scarcity.

Speaking on the development, refinery executives highlighted that the new system will give priority access to registered independent marketers and industrial buyers with the capacity to receive bulk deliveries. The refinery’s state-of-the-art logistics system is expected to ensure steady supply even during high-demand periods.

However, the move has sparked mixed reactions in the industry. While many marketers welcome the potential for lower operational costs, depot owners fear the change could disrupt their business model and render some storage facilities redundant.

Analysts believe that if managed well, this shift could set a new standard for fuel distribution in Nigeria, breaking the decades-old reliance on depot-based supply chains and giving consumers quicker, cheaper access to petrol.