In response to accusations from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, oil marketers have affirmed that imported petrol undergoes rigorous testing by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The clarification came after Dangote Refinery claimed that off-spec petroleum products were being brought into Nigeria by dealers.

Pinnacle Oil and Gas, one of the marketers accused by Dangote, refuted the claims. Robert Dickerman, CEO of Pinnacle Oil, highlighted that independent inspections by NMDPRA and SON prevent the importation of substandard products. Dickerman emphasized that NMDPRA tests are conducted at multiple stages: when the product arrives at Atlas Cove, before it’s transferred to storage tanks, and prior to loading for distribution. SON also confirmed its involvement, stating that it operates a lab to test the quality of imported petroleum products to ensure they meet regulatory standards.

The dispute escalated when Dangote Refinery accused Pinnacle Oil of attempting to blend off-spec products. Pinnacle responded by calling these claims defamatory and misleading, explaining that they had signed a 13-year interconnection agreement with Dangote to distribute products via pipelines—a more cost-effective method than ship or truck delivery.

The debate over the quality of imported petrol comes at a time when NNPC has also faced false claims about selling adulterated fuel. The company has denied the allegations, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining high-quality standards at its retail outlets.