JUST IN: Dangote Refinery stops sales to unregistered marketers

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

This was contained in a mail correspondence obtained on Friday, which was signed by the Group Commercial Operations Department of the company.

The directive aims to promote wider adoption of the refinery’s free delivery scheme for retail outlets and to halt sales to unregistered marketers, whether they buy directly from its depot or indirectly through other marketers.

Dangote explained that the move was an operational adjustment aimed at improving efficiency. The company urged marketers to adopt its Free Delivery Scheme, which provides direct shipments to retail outlets.

It also warned that any payments made after the effective date would be rejected.

The communication, addressed to its marketing partners, read in part, “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 company, however, assured that its Free Delivery Scheme remains operational for both active and newly onboarded customers.

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“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,” the mail stated.

The management also apologised for the inconveniences the decision might cause, adding, “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment.”

The development comes against the backdrop of a lingering row between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria.

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

The refinery, on its part, insists the scheme is meant to stabilise supply and cut costs, accusing marketers of seeking subsidies and fuelling diversion. The standoff has heightened concerns over pricing, labour rights, and competition in the downstream oil sector.

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

It was reported that Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its position on the ongoing dispute with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, insisting that it would not absorb logistics costs that marketers are seeking to pass on as a subsidy.

The latest face-off between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and DAPPMAN comes at a time of heightened public concern over fuel prices and distribution logistics.

DAPPMAN, whose members own most of the privately operated depots in the country, had argued that moving products from the refinery’s Lagos location to other parts of Nigeria requires significant logistics and coastal shipping costs.

In a statement shared on Dangote Group’s official X account on Thursday, titled “We Stand By Our Statement on DAPPMAN … Marketers’ ₦1.505trn Subsidy Demand” and signed by management, the refinery maintained that it had a right to defend its operations from misleading reports.