Petrol Pump Manipulation: How Filling Stations Shortchange Consumers Nationwide

There are growing reports of petrol attendants and filling station operators across Nigeria manipulating pumps to cheat consumers, a practice costing millions of litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) annually.

According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the country consumes about 50 million litres of petrol daily. Yet, investigations by Financial Vanguard show the regulator rarely inspects retail outlets to ensure pumps are functioning properly, leaving room for widespread malpractice.

Many attendants, often earning as little as ₦20,000 per month, have been accused of exploiting customers through pump tampering, distractions during payment, and other sharp practices.

Victims Speak Out
In Lagos, Badmus Samami recounted being overcharged:

“I recently bought ₦20,000 worth of petrol with my ATM card. When I demanded a receipt, it showed ₦22,000 was deducted. The attendant apologised, claiming it was an error.”

Similarly, John Theophilus discovered under-dispensing when buying with a 25-litre jerrycan:

“The pump showed 25 litres but my can wasn’t full. After arguments, the attendant topped it up.”

A tricycle rider in Uyo, Etim Ufot, said cheating worsens during scarcity:

“When there’s shortage, they cheat more. We avoid such stations, and they lose customers.”

Regional Findings

• In Uyo, NNPC sold petrol at ₦890 per litre, while Udofot Petroleum sold at ₦900, insisting on accurate dispensing.
• In Calabar, a reporter observed inconsistent measurements at Uddy King station, where one pump dispensed only 1.13 litres for a supposed one litre.
• In Ondo State, motorists accused independent marketers of widespread pump manipulation, preferring NNPC, MRS, and other major stations.
• In Ekiti, commercial drivers largely shunned independent outlets, citing under-dispensing.
• In Ibadan, drivers and riders lamented sharp practices. Akeem Oladimeji, a bus driver, said:

“You’ll buy ₦5,000 fuel, and before you hit the road the gauge drops as if you bought half.”

Some riders even claimed adulterated fuel was being sold.

Government Response
In Kebbi, a state committee was set up to enforce consumer rights following public outcry. However, nationwide, NMDPRA remains largely absent at filling stations. Officials admit the regulator lacks sufficient personnel to monitor thousands of outlets across the country.

Efforts to reach NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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