JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Suspends Petrol Sales in Naira, Gives Reason

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced it will suspend the sale of petrol in naira starting Sunday, September 28, 2025.

In an email to customers on Friday evening, the refinery cited the exhaustion of its crude-for-naira allocation as the reason for the decision. The notice, issued by the Group Commercial Operations team, was titled “Suspension of DPRP PMS Naira Sales – Effective 28th September 2025.”

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has been selling petroleum products in excess of our naira-crude allocations and, consequently, we are unable to sustain PMS sales in naira going forward,” the statement read. Customers with ongoing naira-based transactions were advised to request refunds.

This move is expected to unsettle the downstream sector and could intensify concerns about fuel pricing and exchange rate pressures. Analysts warn that petrol prices could rise sharply if sales shift predominantly to dollars, with estimates suggesting pump prices may climb above ₦900 per litre.

The suspension comes amid escalating industrial unrest at the refinery. Labour unions, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, have accused Dangote of unfair labour practices following the reported dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers. Union leaders have threatened nationwide solidarity actions unless the issue is addressed.

This is not the first time Dangote has halted naira-based fuel sales. A similar suspension in March 2025 triggered widespread fears of the “dollarisation” of fuel sales, pushing pump prices close to ₦1,000 per litre.

With the refinery regarded as central to Nigeria’s energy security, stakeholders warn that the combined challenges of naira sales suspension and labour disputes could destabilise government efforts to keep the fuel market stable.