Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has abruptly suspended the sale of petrol in the naira, notifying its customers that the new policy will take effect beginning Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The move has sent ripples through Nigeria’s downstream sector, as marketers and energy analysts warn of potential fuel price volatility and stress on foreign exchange markets.
In an email circulated to customers at 6:42 p.m. on Friday, the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations unit announced the suspension under the title “Suspension of DPRP PMS Naira Sales – Effective 28th September 2025.”
The message explained that Dangote had been selling petroleum products in excess of its naira-crude allocations, making continued sales in naira untenable.
Customers who have already made naira-based payments were told to submit formal refund requests, as the refinery pledged to process refunds for pending transactions.
The company also stated that it would provide updates on when naira sales could resume once the issue of allocation is resolved.
This isn’t the first time Dangote has suspended naira-denominated fuel sales. In March 2025, the refinery similarly halted naira sales, citing insufficient crude-for-naira allocations amid rising domestic demand.
The earlier move triggered concerns over a shift toward the “dollarisation” of fuel sales and pushed retail pump prices close to N1,000 per litre in some areas.
The current suspension compounds growing pressures in the sector, given the ongoing labor unrest at Dangote.
Unions have accused the company of engaging in anti-labor practices after the termination of more than 800 employees, an allegation that Dangote disputes.
Union leaders have vowed nationwide solidarity actions if the situation is not redressed.
Industry watchers warn that with Dangote being pivotal to Nigeria’s energy security, this double challenge of naira sales suspension and employee disputes could destabilize supply and contribute to fuel price spikes.
CEO of Petroleumprice.ng, Jeremiah Olatide cautioned that prices might exceed N900 per litre should the company shift predominantly to dollar-based transactions.
As of now, Dangote has not publicly responded to the labor allegations nor provided a detailed timeline for when naira sales might restart.
Analysts will be watching closely how the government and regulatory bodies respond to this development, given its wide implications for fuel affordability, foreign exchange pressure, and sector stability.
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