Economy
Dangote’s N720bn Investment in CNG Trucks to Benefit 42 million MSMEs
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 42 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country will benefit from the N720 billion invested for the acquisition of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks by Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
This action by the local crude oil refiner will help the small business operators reduce their energy costs and enhance profitability.
The decision of Dangote Refinery to supply petroleum products to retailers across the country will also help Nigeria to save over N1.07 trillion in distribution costs annually.
From August 15, the company will begin the direct delivery of petrol and diesel to filling stations, industrial facilities, and other high-volume consumers to meet the nation’s daily consumption of 65 million litres of refined petroleum products.
At the moment, Nigeria reportedly consumes about 45 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, 15 million litres of diesel, and 5 million litres of aviation fuel.
With the average logistics cost estimated at N45 per litre, the refinery will cover over N1.07 trillion annually in free distribution expenses.
As part of its broader commitment to eliminating logistics bottlenecks, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Nigeria’s economic development, the refinery is using CNG trucks to supply consumers.
The initiative is also expected to resuscitate dormant filling stations, fostering job creation in the process. Over 15,000 direct jobs are projected to be created across the logistics chain, including drivers, station managers, and attendants at the CNG stations.
The refinery also emphasised that this programme would help curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products and support a more efficient and environmentally friendly distribution system.
Presidential Endorsement and Industry Praise
The presidency has described the initiative as a pivotal moment in the federal government’s push to mainstream gas-powered transportation.
The Commercial Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Mr Tosin Coker, praised the move as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas-fuelled future.
“Dangote Group’s acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks is not only impressive in scale but also highly strategic,” he said. “It signals to the market that CNG is no longer a distant prospect but a current, practical solution to high energy costs, emissions, and supply chain challenges. PCNGI regards this as a milestone achievement in our efforts to accelerate gas-powered transport adoption.”
Also, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) commended the development, calling it a timely resolution to longstanding challenges in the downstream sector.
Experts speak
IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, stated that the new model would significantly reduce logistical burdens for independent marketers by delivering more affordable fuel directly to filling stations.
“Our pipelines have been non-functional for years, yet nothing has been done to revive the infrastructure linking the country’s 21 depots. We’ve had to rely on expensive transport from coastal depots,” Ukadike said. “Dangote’s intervention lifts a huge burden off the shoulders of independent marketers.”
Development Economist and Policy Analyst, Professor Ken Ife, said the initiative would drive down the price of PMS and yield widespread benefits for Nigerians.
The chief executive of Financial Derivatives Company, Mr Bismarck Rewane, dismissed concerns about the refinery becoming a monopoly, arguing that inefficiencies in the sector have been systemic and long-standing, adding that the scheme would help curb the parasitic role traditionally played by middlemen.
“What Dangote is doing achieves two key objectives: delivering products across the entire country at a uniform price by eliminating bridging costs, and significantly reducing logistics expenses through the use of CNG-powered trucks to reach every corner of the nation.
“In economic terms, middlemen—who typically do not invest—are often viewed as parasitic, extracting margins simply for distributing goods. Dangote is bypassing this layer by directly handling distribution and, notably, providing credit facilities to the retail end of the business,” he said.
An Energy expert and co-founder of Dairy Hills, Mr Kelvin Emmanuel, said Dangote’s decision to absorb logistics costs marks a turning point that could finally allow Nigerians to enjoy the benefits of local refining.
Another Energy analyst, Ms Ibukun Phillips, described the move as “revolutionary”, suggesting it could reshape Nigeria’s energy sector by improving affordability and access, particularly in rural communities.
“Rural consumers, who typically pay more despite earning less, stand to benefit immensely. This could also revive abandoned filling stations and promote equitable distribution,” she explained.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery hit its highest-ever monthly crude intake in April 2026, taking in about 635,000 barrels per day of crude oil, according to Argus tracking data.
Deliveries in the review month rose from 565,000 barrels per day in March, bringing the refinery close to its full installed capacity.
The increase followed the completion of maintenance work on one of the refinery’s crude distillation units earlier this year.
This indicates that the Dangote Refinery is steadily ramping up operations toward full capacity after a gradual start since late 2023.
The refinery received 21 separate crude cargoes in April — a record since operations began.
All supplies came from West Africa, mainly Nigerian crude grades, with one cargo from Cameroon.
Nigerian grades delivered included Bonny Light, Escravos, Qua Iboe, Bonga, Forcados, Brass River, Amenam, and others.
Cameroon’s Ebome crude was supplied to the refinery for the first time.
April receipts comprised 160,000 barrels per day of Bonny Light, 65,000 barrels per day each of Escravos, Qua Iboe and Bonga, 50,000 barrels per day of CJ Blend, then 25,000-35,000 barrels per day each of Nigerian Utapate, EA, Jones Creek, Amenam, Forcados, Brass River, plus 25,000 barrels per day of Cameroon’s Ebome.
The strong rise in local and regional crude supply could also reduce the refinery’s dependence on imported crude grades and strengthen Nigeria’s domestic fuel production capacity.
The Argus report said that no US crude was delivered in April, despite the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude previously being a major feedstock for the plant in 2025.
The refinery relied heavily on Suezmax tankers, with some vessels making multiple shuttle trips between offshore terminals and the refinery.
Average crude receipts in the first four months of 2026 climbed to 495,000 barrels per day, significantly above last year’s average of 375,000 barrels per day.
The data assessed Dangote’s April receipts at a weighted average of 35.1°API and 0.2 per cent sulphur content, compared with 37.2°API and 0.2 per cent sulphur in March. Receipts averaged 37.1°API and 0.15 per cent sulphur in January-April, compared with 36.8°API and 0.2 per cent sulphur across 2025.
The report also added receipts for May appear good as the refinery should get a cargo each of Qua Iboe and Odudu this week.
By Bon Peters
About 17 containers containing illicit items worth over N2 billion have been seized by the Area 11 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between January and April 2026.
In the period under review, the agency generated about N258 billion as revenue, a statement signed by the command’s acting spokesman, Mr Paul Istifanus Gimba, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1, disclosed on Thursday.
The Customs Area Controller for the Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, said last month, more than N77 billion was generated, noting that this reflects the command’s unwavering commitment to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the enforcement of extant government fiscal policies.
He stated that in the second month of this month, his men intercepted an attempt to smuggle one 40-foot container declared to contain plumbing materials, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N185.2 million.
According to him, upon examination, it was discovered that the perpetrators had concealed the original container number and replaced it with a fake one in an attempt to unlawfully remove the container from the port without payment of duty.
Furthermore, he hinted that in April 2026, the command intercepted six 20-foot containers carrying a total of 1,100 jerricans of Super Delicieux Vegetable Oil with a DPV of N494.0 million, in contravention of section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which prohibited the importation of refined vegetable oils and fats in order to protect and promote local industries, particularly domestic vegetable oil producers and agro-allied businesses.
The senior customs officer highlighted other items seized by his men during the period under review, including cartons of chilli cutters, ceiling fans, and food packs.
The Comptroller reminded all mischievous importers and their agents that the command remained unwavering in its resolve to combat smuggling and all forms of illegal trade practices at the port, even as he strongly encouraged all law-abiding traders to remain compliant and resist the temptation to engage in activities that contravene the law.
Mr Alkali praised the professionalism of the officers and men of the command as well as their vigilance and dedication to duty.
He also thanked members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to disseminating accurate and reliable information about the activities of the agency to the public.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Indonesia has imported crude oil from Nigeria as Southeast Asia’s largest economy moves to reduce its dependence on Middle Eastern supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed that Nigerian crude cargoes have already arrived in the country as part of efforts to diversify supply routes away from the volatile Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit chokepoint that handles about 20 per cent of world oil shipments.
The development positions Nigeria as an increasingly strategic alternative supplier in the global energy market as buyers seek more stable and flexible crude sources outside the Middle East.
Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest crude producer, has always sold some of its crude grades via joint ventures with international oil companies as well as to Dangote Refinery, to boost domestic production.
Indonesia’s Director General of Oil and Gas, Mr Laode Sulaeman, said the country was prioritising crude imports from suppliers whose shipping routes do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced heightened security concerns following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Apart from Nigeria, Indonesia is also considering crude supplies from Russia and the US.
The move could strengthen Nigeria’s crude export market at a time the country is seeking to boost production levels and attract new long-term buyers for its oil grades.
Speaking in March, the chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Bayo Ojulari, said that Nigeria could increase oil production by about 100,000 barrels per day over the next few months to realistically help the global shortfall.
Before the latest geopolitical tensions, around 20 per cent of Indonesia’s crude imports came from the Middle East. However, the country has now accelerated plans to diversify supply sources, naming Nigeria among key replacement suppliers alongside Angola, Brazil, Russia, and the US.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to gain attention in global oil markets, with its crude grades increasingly sought after because of their relatively low sulphur content and suitability for modern refineries.
Indonesia also recently opened talks with Russia for long-term crude and liquefied petroleum gas supplies, including a proposed purchase of 150 million barrels of Russian crude scheduled for delivery from late 2026.
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