NNPCL Denies Importing 200m Liters of Petrol As Controversy Over Fuel Quality and Supply Lingers
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) strongly denied information that it imported more than 200 million liters of premium automobile spirits (PMS) in February 2025, declaring that such assertions are “completely false, without foundation and a false reckless representation of facts ”.
In a press release published Tuesday by its director of corporate communications, Olufmi Soneye, NNPCL, said that he had not imported a single liter of petrol in 2025, even if it remains legally authorized to do so if necessary .
“NNPC Limited has not imported a single liter of PMS in 2025. We do not control the import activities of private marketing specialists, and issuing importation licenses,” said Soneye.
Register For TEKEDIA Mini-MBA Edition 16 (February 10 – May 3, 2025)) Today for early reductions.
Tekedia Ai in Masterclass Business open registration.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-INivest in large world startups.
Register become a better CEO or director with CEO program and director of Tekedia.
The company has also warned against the spread of disinformation, declaring that false reports could distort the realities of the market, induce inductible stakeholders and undermine public confidence in its operations.
NNPCL maintains the right to import for energy security
While insisting that he did not engage in the import of fuel this year, the NNPCL stressed that it retains the right to do so if necessary to avoid disturbances in fuel food.
“Although NNPC Limited did not import PMS in 2025, that it is clear that there is no legal restriction which prevents us from doing so if necessary. As the largest energy company in Nigeria, we have a duty to ensure energy security. If supply shortages occur, NNPC Limited retains the complete right and the responsibility to intervene and import to stabilize the market, “said Soneye.
However, expressing his concern about what he described as deliberate attempts to disinform Nigerians, the NNPCL has threatened legal action against individuals or media organizations recognized as guilty of having spread to lies concerning its operations.
“The disinformation of this magnitude provides poor service to the public,” deforms the realities of the market and misleads the main stakeholders. NNPC Limited will not tolerate the propagation of false and malicious reports aimed at undermining its reputation, “warned the press release.
The National Oil Company urged media organizations to verify their facts before the publication and assured Nigerians to commit transparency and responsibility.
Context: alleged import reports of the NNPCL
The controversy began to follow a report according to which the NNPCL imported 159,000 metric tonnes of PMS (equivalent to more than 200 million liters) between February 1 and February 12, 2025.
The report has triggered a wave of public output, many Nigerians wondering why the country continues to import petrol despite repeated insurance that local refineries – in particular those belonging to the NNPCL – undergo a renovation.
The debate has also fueled concerns concerning the role of NNPCL in the distribution of fuels, in particular in the light of recent increases in fuel and rarity in certain regions.
The NNPCL connects the fuel diet of the Dangote refinery in the midst of the accusations
For its defense, the NNPCL said that some of the PMs sold in its retail posts in Lagos, including the fuel bought in its Ojodu Berger point of sale, came from the Dang1ote refinery.
“An important percentage of the high -end motor spirit sold in the NNPC retail stations in Lagos – where this misleading video was created – comes from the Dangote refinery, a strategic partner in the promotion of local production and energy security, “said the company.
The NNPCL has also assured Nigerians that its essence is “carefully formulated with one of the best compositions, ensuring optimal efficiency, durability and environmental sustainability”.
The company also rejected a viral video alleging that the fuel bought in its stations burns faster than expected, qualifying the complaint as “not verified and amateur research which lacks credibility, precision and professional surveillance”.
“We will not tolerate a deliberate disinformation designed to undermine our operations and induce inductor Nigerians,” warned the NNPCL, promising to bring legal action against individuals distributing lies about its activities.
Dangote refinery denies the link to dirty fuel
Despite the assertion of the NNPCL according to which its fuel diet came from the Dangote refinery, sources of Dangote Industries Limited denied it, wondering why the NNPCL was trying to connect its fuel diet to the private refinery.
An anonymous official of Dangote Refinery, who spoke to The Punch, said that if the refinery provides high quality PMs, he does not take into account all the fuel sold by the NNPCL.
“NNPCL has its refineries and has also imported fuel from other countries. So why are they trying to link this problem to Dangote Rafinery now? This makes no sense, “said the manager.
Another source of initiates said that the NNPCL could try to drag the refinery into a controversy to divert attention from its own operations.
“The NNPCL may try to drag the refinery into a controversy, but I don’t think it is necessary; They should be ignored. The NNPCL is just trying to be smart. They imported. Did they go out to say no, we don’t import it? So what are we talking about? They also have their refineries. We do not sell lower quality fuel and Nigerians know it.
“We cannot respond to such a press release. When something is good, it’s good. Undoubtedly on this subject. Everyone confirms it. Anyone can testify, ”added the source.
Although the NNPCL insists on the fact that it will not be petrol in 2025, the fuel and distribution data reports suggest the opposite. The company has been criticized on the concerns of fuel quality, some Nigerians claiming that the essence it sells burns faster than that of other suppliers.
The controversy surrounding the import and fuel food in Nigeria seems far from over. While the NNPCL remains the dominant player in the oil sector, recent events raise questions about the transparency of importing and fuel prices.
With continuous delays in the fully overhaul of public refineries of Nigeria, the debate on local production against importation is likely to intensify, especially since the Nigerians manage with the increase in fuel costs and the incoherent offer.
