The $20bn worth Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced the sale of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, to oil marketers nationwide.

Dealers and officials of the plant confirmed this on Tuesday, as it was gathered that the refinery commenced diesel sales last week.

The National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, said the move by Dangote would lead to a crash in diesel prices, as the commodity rose to a high of about N1,700/litre recently.

A senior management official of the firm confirmed the sale of diesel to marketers, as the source noted that Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, would soon be released to the market.

The Dangote Refinery has faced a series of hurdles as it strives to release refined products into the market after it was officially inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.