The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to motorists not to engage in panic buying despite warning that localized fuel queues could emerge in parts of Lagos and Abuja this week due to temporary logistics challenges affecting private fuel depots.
According to the association, the supply disruption is not linked to a nationwide fuel shortage but to minor distribution bottlenecks that are expected to be resolved once depot operations normalize. IPMAN assured Nigerians that marketers are working with suppliers to restore smooth product distribution and prevent prolonged queues.
The association stressed that there is sufficient petrol stock in the country and urged consumers to avoid panic purchases that could worsen congestion at filling stations. Industry operators also noted that isolated queues are common whenever depot loading schedules are disrupted and do not necessarily signal a supply crisis.
Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has intensified monitoring of filling stations in Lagos and Abuja, deploying enforcement teams to ensure marketers reflect recent reductions in petrol landing costs at the pump.
The commission warned that operators who refuse to adjust pump prices without justification could face sanctions under Nigeria’s consumer protection and competition laws. Officials said consumers should not be forced to pay inflated prices when global import costs have declined significantly.
The FCCPC added that inspection teams will monitor pricing practices, investigate complaints from motorists and take enforcement action where necessary. The agency also encouraged Nigerians to report filling stations suspected of price manipulation or other anti-competitive practices.
Energy analysts say the combination of stable fuel supply and stricter price enforcement could help ease pressure on consumers if depot logistics improve quickly. However, they caution that temporary queues may still occur in isolated locations until distribution fully stabilizes.
