The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has disclosed that the association is still in discussion with the Dangote Refinery regarding the commencement of oil-lifting operations. Stating that IPMAN has not begun lifting petroleum products from the Dangote refinery.

IPMAN further distanced itself from rumors circulating in the media circle that it has accused Dangote of preventing its members from purchasing oil directly from the facility. It was previously reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) would end its exclusive offtake agreement with the Dangote Refinery, allowing other marketers to buy products directly.

The chairman of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, stated in an interview with BBC Hausa that it is widely known that the NNPCL is currently the sole off-taker of oil products from Dangote, with IPMAN members serving in a retail capacity. He emphasised that the union is currently engaging with the leadership of the Dangote Refinery and expressed optimism about the negotiations.

“As I speak to you, there is no official confirmation that the NNPCL has ceased its role as a middleman in purchasing oil from the refinery,” Maigandi added. “Just today, NNPCL requested us to send our tankers to the refinery for oil lifting, and we complied. They also submitted our waybills to the refinery.”

He further clarified, “At this point, we cannot buy oil directly from Dangote; we must purchase it from NNPCL.” However, he reiterated that IPMAN is in discussions with the refinery to facilitate future lifting operations, noting that the government has not removed NNPCL as the intermediary in the oil offtake process.