Dangote Refinery to Launch Free Fuel Distribution Scheme Monday, Slashed Fuel Price

The Dangote Refinery has announced that its much-anticipated free fuel distribution scheme will commence on Monday, beginning with Lagos, the South West, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo States.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, who also disclosed a downward review of petrol pump prices. According to him, petrol will now retail at ₦841 per litre in Lagos and the South West, and ₦851 per litre in Abuja, Edo, Kwara, Rivers, and Delta States.

“We are starting the free fuel distribution scheme on Monday. We will start with Lagos and the South West, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo States. There will be a drop in price effective on Monday when the free distribution starts,” Chiejina stated.

The free fuel initiative, originally scheduled to kick off in August 2025 but delayed due to logistics challenges in China, will now be backed by a massive deployment of trucks. Sources confirmed that the refinery has already received over 1,000 trucks for the initial phase, with more expected to arrive to enable coverage across additional states.

In a related statement on Thursday, Dangote Industries disclosed that it has embarked on a large-scale CNG-powered truck roll-out, designed to strengthen logistics and cut costs across Nigeria’s domestic fuel distribution value chain.

“Even though we recently noticed how CNG prices doubled a week ago, that will not deter our 10,000 CNG truck roll-out this year,” the company said.

Industry watchers believe the commencement of the free fuel scheme could significantly ease pressure on consumers, particularly in urban centres where transport costs have soared in recent months. The Dangote Group assured that more states will benefit as additional trucks arrive and distribution expands nationwide.