Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, CORAN, has warned that the ongoing clash between the Dangote Refinery and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, risks derailing Nigeria’s long-awaited refining revolution.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Eche Stephen Idoko, CORAN said Nigeria is on the verge of a “refining renaissance” that must not be suffocated by rivalry or vested interests.
“For decades, Nigeria endured the paradox of being Africa’s leading crude oil producer yet importing most of its refined petroleum products,” Idoko said.
“This dependence drained scarce foreign exchange, enriched foreign refiners, and entrenched middlemen structures. Today, with the commissioning of large-scale projects like the Dangote Refinery alongside several modular refineries across the country, the dream of domestic refining dominance is no longer distant, it is within reach.”
CORAN stressed that the emergence of local refining represents a strategic turning point, but noted that some stakeholders, particularly bulk marketers and tank farm operators, must adapt to remain relevant.
“The rise of domestic refining poses an inherent threat to the old import-dependent business model that sustained depots and bulk marketers for decades. But rather than see this as extinction, CORAN urges tank farm owners and marketers to embrace collaboration with local refineries to ensure their continued relevance in the new era,” the group stated.
According to CORAN, DAPPMAN members still play a critical role in the downstream value chain, particularly in evacuation, storage, and distribution of refined products.
“Refineries, whether mega facilities or modular plants, cannot thrive in isolation. They require efficient product evacuation, storage, and retail distribution. This is where DAPPMAN members remain critical. By repositioning themselves as partners, handling logistics, regional distribution, storage, and last-mile delivery, tank farm operators can reinvent their businesses to align with domestic refineries,” Idoko said.
Acknowledging both sides’ roles, CORAN commended depot owners for sustaining the country during decades of fuel import reliance, while also recognising the Dangote Refinery and modular refiners as the future of energy security.
“DAPPMAN operators sustained the nation through decades of import reliance, ensuring that fuel reached consumers despite global and local challenges. At the same time, the Dangote Refinery and indigenous refiners represent a strategic shift toward self-sufficiency, reduced forex pressure, and job creation,” CORAN said.
The group insisted that Nigeria cannot afford to lose momentum due to rivalry.
“The path forward is clear: collaboration, not confrontation. Refineries need marketers, and marketers need domestic supply. Together, this synergy can drive efficiency, stabilize prices, and deliver affordable energy to Nigerians,” CORAN declared.
“Nigeria cannot afford to miss this historic opportunity. The refining sector must be nurtured as the engine of economic transformation, not suffocated on the altar of rivalry.
