By Safiyat Muhammed | The Bureau News
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the suspension of petrol sales in naira, effective Sunday, September 28, 2025. The move has unsettled oil marketers and raised new concerns about fuel pricing and pressure on Nigeria’s fragile foreign exchange market.
Dangote’s Official Notice
In an email sent to customers at 6:42 p.m. on Friday, signed by the Group Commercial Operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the company explained that its crude-for-naira allocation had been exhausted.
The memo, titled “Suspension of DPRP PMS Naira Sales – Effective 28th September 2025”, read:
“We have been selling petroleum products in excess of our naira-crude allocations and are unable to sustain PMS sales in naira going forward. Kindly note that this suspension will take effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025. Customers with naira-based transactions may formally request refunds.”
Labour Dispute Adds to Tensions (Nigeria News Today)
The announcement comes as the refinery is locked in a bitter dispute with labour unions over the alleged mass sack of over 800 Nigerian workers. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the company of anti-labour practices and vowed to resist what it called an “unjust and insensitive corporate decision.”
Union leaders have threatened nationwide solidarity actions unless the matter is addressed.
Not the First Suspension of Naira Sales
This is not the first time Dangote has halted local currency transactions. In March 2025, the refinery briefly stopped selling refined products in naira, citing inadequate allocations under the crude-for-naira programme.
That decision triggered concerns over the dollarisation of fuel sales, pushing pump prices close to ₦1,000 per litre at the time.
Analysts Warn of Price Volatility
Analysts caution that the latest suspension could lead to fresh instability in the downstream sector.
Jeremiah Olatide, CEO of Petroleumprice.ng, warned:
“Petrol prices could soar above ₦900 per litre. Dangote Refinery has played a stabilising role in keeping pump prices lower in recent months, but this decision could reverse the gains.”
Energy Security at Risk
With the refinery seen as critical to Nigeria’s energy security, stakeholders fear that the combination of currency-linked sales suspension and labour unrest could undermine the government’s broader fuel market reform agenda.
The Bureau News Business Desk Insight
As reported by The Bureau News, the twin crises at Dangote Refinery — suspension of naira sales and labour disputes — pose a serious test for Nigeria’s energy policy. The outcome could shape not only petrol prices but also investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
For related coverage, see PENGASSAN, Nigerian Labour Congress, and NNPC Limited.