Independent petroleum marketers have urged the Federal Government to extend the 30-day petrol discount offered at Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) retail outlets to 60 days and to bring independent marketers into the arrangement, warning that the current design could restrict its reach and limit consumer benefits.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, earlier described the intervention as a plan to sell petrol at cost, funded by NNPC's retail margins rather than the Federal Government budget or the Federation Account. The discount prioritises public transporters at NNPC retail stations nationwide.
IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, questioned how the policy would benefit consumers in communities where NNPC filling stations have limited coverage. He said independent oil marketers control more than 90 percent coverage and presence across the country, while NNPC is situated mainly in towns. Ukadike asked how the poor masses the policy intends to reach would access the product, adding that independent marketers should be included.
He also called for the 30-day window to be extended to 60 days, citing distribution delays. According to him, it can take two weeks for a truck to move from Apapa to Gombe or Maiduguri because of poor roads and the loading process.
Another independent marketer, Philp Bulus, welcomed the intervention but stressed the need for transparency to ensure consumers benefit. He said the effect on independent operators would depend on implementation: if NNPC sells discounted petrol directly through selected outlets, independent marketers could face pressure to lower pump prices to remain competitive, even if this reduces their margins and raises operating costs.
Bulus said the key issue is the structure and implementation of the discount. Marketers need clarity on the size of the reduction, how the benefit will be passed to consumers, and whether independent operators will have fair access. Restricting access to certain buyers or channels could limit the policy's impact, he argued, making transparency essential.
He called on the government and NNPC to clarify participation requirements, eligibility criteria and the pricing mechanism to avoid an uneven playing field. Allowing independent marketers to access discounted products under transparent and equitable conditions could lower procurement costs and enable savings to be passed to consumers.
