Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended petrol loading operations until further notice, a development that has sparked expectations of another potential increase in the ex depot price of premium motor spirit.
According to a source familiar with the situation, tanker drivers who had queued at the refinery were directed to leave the premises as loading activities were temporarily halted.
The move has heightened speculation within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector that the refinery could soon announce a new price revision, possibly as early as Monday.
Industry observers note that the refinery has previously paused loading activities shortly before implementing upward adjustments in petrol prices.
A similar incident occurred on March 6 at about 2:00 a.m. West Africa Time when loading operations were stopped before the refinery later announced a ₦121 increase, raising the ex depot price of petrol to ₦995 per litre.
That adjustment followed another price change on March 2 when the refinery increased its petrol gantry price from ₦774 to ₦874 per litre amid rising pressures in the domestic fuel market.
The pattern of suspending loading before price revisions has prompted marketers, depot operators, and other stakeholders to closely monitor activities at the refinery, as many often align their pricing strategies with its decisions.