The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to urgently address what it described as emerging monopolistic practices within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking at an industry event over the weekend, NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, warned that monopoly-driven operations in the midstream and downstream segments pose a serious threat to the survival of petroleum transporters across the country.
He stressed the need for a transparent and equitable pricing structure that would ensure sustainability and profitability in the transportation of petroleum products.
“Monopoly in any form undermines competition and weakens operators,” Othman said. “We require a fair pricing mechanism that will make petroleum transportation sustainable and profitable for all stakeholders.”
He added that the association would continue to resist what he described as the marginalisation and outright emasculation of transporters by dominant operators within the industry.
Othman noted that through sustained and high-level engagements with key stakeholders and regulators, NARTO has remained a consistent advocate for its members. While commending the regulatory oversight of the NMDPRA, he urged the authority to intensify efforts to safeguard the viability of the sector.
“We hope the NMDPRA will continue to ensure fairness in pricing and operational standards that support the long-term stability of petroleum transportation,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, called on transport operators to prioritize safety standards, emphasizing that road safety remains a collective responsibility requiring commitment from all players in the transport chain.
Similarly, Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, in a message delivered by the Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Alhaji Musa Babayo, reassured transporters of the Federal Government’s commitment to rehabilitating deteriorating federal roads nationwide under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The concerns raised by NARTO come amid recent fluctuations in fuel prices in the Federal Capital Territory. Pump prices in Abuja currently range between ₦875 and ₦899 per litre following a January 2026 adjustment in gantry prices by the Dangote Refinery. Although the refinery subsequently announced a ₦25 per litre reduction in its gantry price, the change has yet to reflect at retail outlets.
Industry stakeholders say the evolving pricing dynamics further underscore the need for transparent regulatory oversight to ensure fair competition and protect critical players within the petroleum distribution value chain.
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