Airline operators in Nigeria have confirmed that they are now sourcing Jet A1 fuel from Dangote’s refinery.
The spokesperson for the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, stated in an interview with DANDALI, “AON has been purchasing Jet A1 from Dangote for the past few months.” He further explained that the price of the fuel fluctuates based on several factors, including the location of the airport.
“The cost of Jet A1 varies depending on the time and airport,” Okonkwo noted.
An industry insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained that the high cost of imported Jet A1 fuel had driven the aviation sector to seek local alternatives. The insider mentioned that negotiations were initiated with Dangote due to the rising cost of Jet A1, largely because it is imported.
“We approached Dangote to explore a partnership. Jet A1 is very expensive because it’s imported, and if we source it locally, it should reduce the cost,” the official said.
However, the discussions stalled due to a pricing dispute between Dangote and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The source explained, “Dangote proposed a price, but we can’t finalize the deal until their issue with NNPC is resolved.”
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The fluctuating demand for Jet A1 fuel, based on the number of operational aircraft, was also highlighted. “Today, we might have eight aircraft flying, but tomorrow it might be six. So, demand changes day to day,” the official added.
In a related development, the Federal Government recently designated Dangote Refinery as the exclusive supplier of jet fuel to Nigerian airlines, as part of its naira-for-crude policy aimed at reducing reliance on imported fuel. This decision was confirmed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as part of broader efforts to stabilize fuel supplies for the aviation sector.
