Dangote Deploys 4,000 Trucks to Bolster Nationwide Fuel Distribution

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the deployment of 4,000 trucks to strengthen fuel delivery across Nigeria’s aviation, manufacturing, telecommunications sectors and to independent marketers. The initiative, the company says, is designed to ensure efficient and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to critical industries nationwide.

Reactions have been mixed. On Twitter, @omoajingero (Tajudeen Kareem) called the effort “commendable” but argued it falls short of solving deeper logistical problems. “This remains a token in solving the national malaise of old-fashioned distribution challenge,” he said, urging investment in rail infrastructure as a cheaper, safer alternative.

Others cautioned against unchecked market dominance. “NNPC should be worried at this point,” tweeted Olalekan Ajimoti, warning that without robust competition, Dangote’s scheme could edge out smaller players. Meanwhile, Obasa Sanmi highlighted the role of intermediaries in inflating costs: “The middlemen are the profiteers. It’s time to chase them out,” he wrote, suggesting a similar direct-delivery model for cement distribution.

Industry observers note that poor road conditions, congestion at loading terminals and the lack of a national rail network continue to hamper bulk fuel movement. Chijioke Nwankwo, commenting on the tanker drivers’ ongoing strike over the refinery’s E-call up system, said the new trucks could “reset the balance in the fuel haulage industry,” and that drivers opposing the scheme “can now go and look for another job.”

Safety concerns also surfaced. @Safety_Canal (Gabriel Bolatito) praised the potential market shake-up but stressed the need for strict oversight. “May Nigeria and Nigerians win this war,” he tweeted. Ujay Enebeli urged regulators to enforce rigorous training and licensing for all drivers, warning against using the scheme as an “empowerment program” without proper safeguards.

Since commencing production in early 2024, the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest privately owned facility, has processed up to 650,000 barrels per day. While it has already cut Nigeria’s reliance on imports, analysts insist that only a shift to pipelines and rail will deliver long-term stability and affordability in fuel logistics.