With athletes and officials preparing to converge in Ogun State for the highly anticipated 22nd National Sports Festival, participating states have welcomed the recent announcement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which slashed the gantry price of petrol from ₦835 to ₦825 per litre.
The refinery’s price cut comes as a timely economic relief, especially for states mobilizing large contingents by road to Abeokuta, the host city. Logistics and fuel costs typically account for a major portion of states’ sports festival budgets, and the new petrol price has sparked optimism that these expenses could now be better managed.
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In recent days, several states — including Kwara, Enugu, Ekiti, and Niger — have expressed satisfaction with the development. Officials say the reduction, though seemingly modest, has the potential to positively impact transport costs for buses, medical support vans, and logistics vehicles moving teams across long distances.
“This is encouraging news for us as we finalize our travel plans,” said a top sports coordinator from the North-Central region. “Every naira saved on fuel can be redirected towards better feeding, kits, or athlete welfare.”
The Dangote Refinery had previously reduced the gantry price from ₦865 to ₦835 in April. This latest adjustment reflects intensifying competition in the domestic fuel market, but for the sports sector, it offers an unexpected win — especially at a time when most states are facing tight budgets and rising costs.
With the festival scheduled to kick off soon, the new fuel price is already shaping the tone of preparations. Athletes, coaches, and administrators alike hope that other sectors — including accommodation and inter-state transport services — will follow suit in easing the financial strain on teams travelling to Ogun State.
As the festival approaches, the pump price drop may be a small but significant factor in ensuring smoother arrivals and stronger participation from across Nigeria.
