A growing number of Nigerians are abandoning Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets in favor of Dangote Refinery’s fuel, which is being sold through MRS filling stations, NEWS BULLETIN reports.
During a visit to fuel stations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, a NEWS BULLETIN correspondent observed that many motorists had shifted their patronage from NNPCL stations to MRS outlets. As a result, the usual long queues at NNPCL stations have significantly dwindled in the past week.
Price and Fuel Efficiency Drive Shift
Motorists cited two key reasons for the switch: lower prices and better fuel efficiency. At MRS stations, fuel is sold at ₦945 per litre, compared to NNPCL’s ₦965 per litre in Abuja.
Ali Mohammed, a taxi driver, said he now prefers MRS fuel because it lasts longer.
“Apart from the price, I believe Dangote petrol lasts longer than NNPCL’s. When I buy 20 litres at MRS, it seems to go further than what I used to get from NNPCL,” he claimed.
Another resident, Kunle Abdulrahman, echoed this sentiment, saying,
“MRS fuel doesn’t burn as fast as NNPC’s. Plus, it’s cheaper, so it’s a win-win for me.”
Some customers, like Oluwatobi Esther, switched based on word-of-mouth recommendations.
“A friend told me about the difference, and since I started buying from MRS, I’ve noticed an improvement in how long my fuel lasts,” she said.
Musa Aliyu, manager of an MRS station along Kubwa Expressway, confirmed the increased demand.
“Our queues have been longer than ever. I believe it’s because of the price and quality,” he said.
NNPCL Responds to Allegations
Meanwhile, NNPCL has dismissed claims that its fuel burns faster as “baseless and unfounded.” The state-owned oil firm has also warned of legal action against anyone making such allegations.
A fuel attendant at an NNPCL station on Kubwa Expressway, who spoke anonymously, attributed the decline in sales solely to pricing.
“The issue is not quality—it’s price. If NNPC drops its fuel price to ₦935 per litre, you’ll see queues here again,” he said.
Industry Experts Weigh In
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that pricing is the main factor influencing customer behavior.
“With deregulation, competitors are using different pricing strategies to attract customers. Motorists care more about cost than fuel quality,” he explained.
As of the time of filing this report, NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, had not responded to inquiries.
Meanwhile, other filling stations in Abuja are selling fuel at prices ranging between ₦970 and ₦1,000 per litre, making MRS the most affordable option for many motorists.
