The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday announced the reactivation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Located in Rivers State, the refinery is producing essential fuels such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG.
Before the Port Harcourt Refinery’s takeoff, the Dangote Refinery was one of the top operational refineries in Nigeria, selling petrol at ₦970 per litre—a price many Nigerians considered exorbitant, even when compared to imported fuel.
The monopoly had drawn criticism, with calls for alternatives to drive down costs for the average Nigerian.
The announcement of the Port Harcourt Refinery’s reopening was met with joy across the country, as Nigerians expressed hope that increased competition would lead to fairer pricing.
In what appears to be a response to a new competition, Dangote Refinery took to X formerly Twitter earlier today to advertise its petrol products to get more marketers and customers.
The move has sparked reactions about whether this is an early sign of anxiety within the Dangote Group, as they face competition for the first time since launching their refinery.
The tweet, seen as an unusual move for a company that has dominated the market unchallenged, has left many wondering if this is a strategic attempt to retain customer loyalty amidst the growing competition.
Economic analysts believe this is just the beginning of a more competitive petroleum market in Nigeria.
With President Bola Tinubu directing the NNPC to expedite the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries, the oil sector could witness an influx of locally refined petrol, further driving competition.
See reactions from Nigerians to Dangote Refinery’s tweet:
