The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has said petrol prices will continue to differ across Nigeria despite its ongoing discount, clarifying that the initiative does not guarantee a uniform pump price nationwide.
NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, explaining that the discount applies only to NNPC Retail outlets and does not change the market-based pricing system for petroleum products.
The company introduced the discount on October 1 to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and said it would remain in effect at its retail stations nationwide until October 31.
According to NNPC, the initiative is designed to provide temporary relief to motorists amid elevated global crude oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East and their impact on domestic petrol prices.
The clarification means motorists may still pay different prices depending on the filling station they patronise, as other fuel marketers are not required to adopt NNPC’s discount.
NNPC also stressed that the price reduction should not be interpreted as a return to the fuel subsidy regime, saying the initiative was a customer-relief measure.
The statement followed the Federal Government’s clarification that the discount was being funded through a reduction in NNPC Retail’s profit margin, rather than public funds.
The company said it remained committed to ensuring reliable fuel supply and working with relevant stakeholders to cushion the impact of rising petroleum prices on Nigerians.
