The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has launched a scathing attack on the dominance of the Dangote Refinery, blaming what it described as a “near-total monopoly” for the persistent surge and fluctuation in petrol prices across Nigeria.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the group also criticised the Federal Government for what it called a failure to protect citizens from “artificial and exploitative pricing,” arguing that millions of Nigerians are facing worsening economic hardship as a result.
HURIWA alleged that the pump price of petrol, now hovering around N1,400 per litre in some locations, has become “exorbitant and unaffordable,” placing immense pressure on households already grappling with high living costs.
The rights group expressed concern that a refinery once widely celebrated as a solution to Nigeria’s fuel import dependence has, in its view, evolved into a dominant market force with significant pricing influence.
In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the current situation is undermining citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and access to basic living conditions.
It argued that many households, already disconnected from the national grid, now struggle to afford petrol needed to power generators, thereby worsening living standards.
“The economic reality is that millions of Nigerians can no longer sustain their daily activities due to the high cost of fuel,” the group said.
HURIWA also raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s public refineries, questioning why officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have not been held accountable for what it described as years of failed maintenance and turnaround projects.
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The group alleged that billions of dollars had been spent on non-functional refineries over the past decade without corresponding results, calling for investigations and recovery of funds.
Reacting to the recent escalation of tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, HURIWA questioned the direct impact of the crisis on Nigeria’s domestic fuel pricing.
The group argued that since the Dangote Refinery sources crude oil locally and reportedly conducts transactions in naira, the justification for sharp price increases tied to international market volatility remains unclear.
It further criticised what it described as “opportunistic pricing,” alleging that the refinery moved quickly to increase prices following disruptions in global oil supply chains.
Citing recent global data, HURIWA noted that Nigeria and Vietnam have recorded some of the highest fuel price increases since the escalation of the Middle East conflict in late February 2026.
According to figures from a UK-based research firm, gasoline prices rose by approximately 40 per cent in Nigeria within weeks, placing it ahead of several advanced economies such as Australia, Germany, and Canada.
Local market data also indicates that petrol prices in cities like Abuja surged from below N900 per litre to over N1,300 within a short period, following an increase in gantry prices by the Dangote Refinery amid rising global crude oil benchmarks.
HURIWA accused the Federal Government of allowing a monopolistic market structure to persist, arguing that regulatory inaction has enabled pricing practices that negatively affect consumers.
The group further alleged that the refinery’s influence is reinforced by its perceived closeness to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that such dynamics could weaken accountability and market competition.
The organisation called for urgent policy interventions to address the fuel pricing crisis, including breaking market monopolies, ensuring transparency in the downstream sector, and revitalising public refineries to encourage competition.
It stressed that without decisive action, the rising cost of petrol, diesel, and kerosene could further deepen poverty levels and limit economic activities nationwide.
“The survival of millions of Nigerians is at stake,” the statement concluded, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ welfare and implement reforms that will stabilise fuel prices and restore public confidence in the energy sector