In a bold response to ongoing tanker blockades disrupting fuel supplies across Nigeria, the Dangote Group has launched an emergency nationwide distribution campaign to ease the growing crisis.
The move comes as the country faces widespread fuel shortages following a standoff between petroleum tanker drivers and regulatory authorities over revised freight rates and loading policies. Long queues have returned to major cities, with transport and power sectors already feeling the impact.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, announced that the company has activated its independent distribution network, leveraging its 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lekki and private logistics fleet to bypass bottlenecks caused by the blockade.
“Our priority is to restore stability and ensure that Nigerians have uninterrupted access to essential fuel supplies,” Dangote said in a statement. “We have the infrastructure and resources to intervene decisively.”
The emergency rollout includes dedicated depots and fuel delivery routes designed to serve both urban and rural areas. Industry insiders say the Dangote Refinery’s direct-to-market capacity may prove vital in cushioning the impact of the impasse, especially if the stalemate drags on.
Government officials have praised the intervention, with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) calling it a “critical relief effort” while negotiations with tanker unions continue.
Observers note that Dangote’s move could reshape fuel logistics in Nigeria, accelerating the shift toward refinery-led distribution models and reducing reliance on third-party transport networks.
