The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has stated that the newly announced gantry price for aviation fuel by the Dangote Refinery will help stabilise the market and encourage compliance among fuel marketers.
Speaking in Abuja, the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, explained that the pricing move would support ongoing regulatory monitoring and improve transparency within the aviation fuel market.
This follows the refinery’s decision to peg the price of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (Jet A1) at N1,820 per litre, a step aimed at addressing concerns over rising fuel costs in the aviation sector.
The announcement comes amid growing complaints from airlines and industry stakeholders about the high cost of jet fuel and its impact on operations and ticket prices.
Earlier, the NMDPRA introduced price guidelines for Jet A1 to ease pressure on operators and passengers. It also directed marketers to sell directly to airlines, setting price ranges between N1,760 and N1,988 per litre in Lagos, and N1,809 to N2,037 per litre in Abuja.
Despite these measures, some marketers have continued to sell aviation fuel above N2,230 per litre, raising further concerns across the industry.
Ene-Ita noted that although petroleum prices are now deregulated, the Dangote Refinery’s commitment to publishing daily indicative prices would strengthen oversight and promote adherence to fair pricing practices.
He added that the refinery’s pricing initiative is intended to ease operational costs in the aviation sector and ensure its sustainability, assuring that the regulatory body would work to ensure Nigerians benefit from the development.
The pricing framework, according to the agency, is based on international benchmarks, particularly Platts averages recorded between April 17 and 23, reflecting current global oil market trends.
However, the regulator acknowledged that actual prices may still fluctuate due to market forces, including global volatility and geopolitical tensions such as the ongoing U.S.–Iran situation.
