The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petrol in naira, a decision that has unsettled marketers and heightened fears of another hike in pump prices.
In a notice sent to its customers on Friday evening, the company explained that the suspension will take effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025, after it exhausted its crude-for-naira allocation.
The notice signed by the Group Commercial Operations stated, “We have sold petroleum products in excess of our Naira-Crude allocations and are therefore unable to continue petrol sales in naira going forward.
This suspension will be effective from Sunday, 28th September 2025. Customers who wish to reclaim payments already made in naira are advised to formally request refunds.”
Industry experts say the decision could further destabilise the downstream sector. Chief Executive Officer of Petroleumprice.ng, Jeremiah Olatide, warned, “The Dangote Refinery has been instrumental in keeping pump prices lower in recent months.
With naira sales off the table, consumers may begin to feel the direct impact and petrol could sell for above ₦900 per litre.”
The suspension comes months after the refinery briefly halted naira sales in March 2025, a move that pushed petrol prices to almost ₦1,000 per litre in some areas.
Meanwhile, the development coincides with rising industrial tension at the refinery, where labour unions have accused management of sacking more than 800 Nigerian workers.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria condemned the move, calling it an “unjust and insensitive corporate decision,” and threatened nationwide solidarity actions if the issue is not resolved.
“We will not sit back while Nigerian workers are thrown out without recourse to due process,” the union leaders said.
