The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has accused the Dangote Refinery of operating a de facto monopoly in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, alleging that it is responsible for the persistent surge and volatility in fuel prices across the country.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko the group said the rising pump price of petrol—now hovering around ₦1,400 per litre—has imposed “unbearable hardship” on millions of Nigerians.
HURIWA also criticised the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly allowing what it described as “artificial price fluctuations” to persist without adequate intervention.
The group argued that what was once widely celebrated as a landmark indigenous industrial project has instead become, in its words, “a driver of economic pain.”
“The Dangote Refinery, which Nigerians supported and prayed for, has turned into a traumatising agent of poverty due to its monopolistic stranglehold,” the statement said.
HURIWA linked the high cost of fuel to worsening living conditions, noting that many households now struggle to power generators amid unreliable electricity supply, thereby affecting their rights to mobility, livelihood, and dignity.
The group also took aim at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, accusing past officials of mismanaging billions of dollars earmarked for the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries.
“Those responsible for the failure of Nigeria’s refineries and the alleged diversion of funds must be held accountable,” HURIWA said, calling for investigations and possible prosecutions.
HURIWA questioned the rationale behind recent fuel price hikes, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The group argued that since the Dangote Refinery sources crude oil locally and reportedly conducts transactions in naira, global disruptions—such as the ongoing Iran–US–Israel tensions—should not significantly impact domestic fuel pricing.
“Why should Nigerians pay inflated prices as though crude oil is being imported from conflict zones?” the group queried.
Citing data from UK-based analytics firm Investinsight, HURIWA noted that Nigeria ranks among countries with the steepest fuel price increases since the escalation of tensions in the Gulf region.
According to the report, Nigeria recorded a fuel price increase of up to 40 percent within weeks, trailing only Vietnam globally.
Locally, petrol prices have reportedly surged from between ₦875 and ₦900 per litre to over ₦1,300 in parts of Abuja, representing a sharp spike in a short period.
HURIWA accused the government of failing to regulate the sector effectively, warning that continued inaction could deepen poverty and economic distress.
The group further alleged that the refinery’s dominant position in the market has enabled it to operate without sufficient checks, to the detriment of consumers.
“Nigerians are being pushed to the brink. The government must act decisively to protect citizens from exploitative pricing,” the statement added.
The civil rights group called for urgent reforms to ensure competition, transparency, and fairness in the petroleum sector.
It also urged authorities to prioritise national interest over private gains, warning that unchecked market dominance could have long-term consequences for economic stability and social cohesion.