JUST-IN: Dangote Refinery Halts Product Sales To Unregistered Marketers

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has suspended self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facility, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.

This was disclosed in an internal correspondence on Friday, signed by the company’s Group Commercial Operations Department. The directive, according to management, is aimed at halting sales to unregistered marketers and driving wider adoption of its free delivery scheme.

The refinery explained that the move was “an operational adjustment” designed to improve efficiency.

“We wish to inform you that, effective 18th September 2025, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has placed all self-collection gantry sales on hold until further notice. In light of this development, we kindly request that all payments related to active PFIs for self-collection are also placed on hold until further notice. Please note that any payment made after this date will not be honoured,” the correspondence stated.

The company assured marketers that its Free Delivery Scheme remains fully operational for both active and newly onboarded customers.

“We encourage all active and newly onboarded customers to register for the DPRP Free Delivery Scheme, which remains fully operational and offers a seamless delivery experience to your station,” it added.

While apologising for any inconvenience caused, the refinery said the measure was necessary, “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment.”

The suspension came amid an ongoing standoff between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).

NUPENG had accused the refinery of resisting the unionisation of its truck drivers despite a government-brokered agreement. On the other hand, DAPPMAN has criticised the refinery’s “free delivery scheme,” alleging that marketers are being compelled to rely on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates.

But the refinery insists its delivery model is designed to stabilise supply and curb diversion, rejecting calls it says amount to demands for subsidies.

LEADERSHIP On Thursday, September 18, 2025, reported that the refinery reaffirmed its position against DAPPMAN’s claims, declaring it would not absorb logistics costs that marketers are seeking to shift to its operations.

In a statement shared on Dangote Group’s official X account, titled “We Stand By Our Statement on DAPPMAN … Marketers’ ₦1.505trn Subsidy Demand”, the company said it reserved the right to defend its operations against “misleading reports.”

“We will not absorb logistics costs disguised as subsidies. Our responsibility is to ensure stable supply at fair rates, not to underwrite inefficiencies in distribution,” the statement read.

The decision is expected to significantly affect independent petroleum marketers and retail owners who have not registered for the free delivery scheme and previously relied on direct self-collection at the refinery’s gantry.