Starting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has stopped selling petroleum products at its facilities using self-collection gantry.
This was stated in a letter that our reporter was able to get on Friday and that was signed by the company’s Group Commercial Operations Department.
The instruction is to stop sales to unregistered marketers, whether they purchase directly from the refinery’s depot or indirectly through other marketers, and to encourage broader adoption of the refinery’s free delivery program for retail outlets.
Dangote clarified that the action was an operational change meant to increase productivity. With its Free Delivery Scheme, which offers direct shipments to retail locations, the corporation encouraged marketers to use it.
Additionally, it stated that any payments made after the date of implementation will be refused.
Part of the message, which was sent to its marketing partners, said, “We would like to notify you that, as of September 18, 2025, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has put a halt to all self-collection gantry sales until further notice. We respectfully ask that all payments associated with active PFIs for self-collection be put on hold until further notice in light of this development. Please be aware that we will not honor any payments received after this date.
However, the business promised that both current and recently onboarded customers may still use its Free Delivery Scheme.
“The DPRP Free Delivery Scheme is still fully operational and provides a smooth delivery experience to your station, so we encourage all current and newly onboarded customers to register for it,” the letter said.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment,” the management said in response to any potential annoyances the decision may have caused.
A long-running dispute between the refinery, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers is the backdrop of the development.
DAPPMAN has criticized the company’s contentious “free delivery scheme,” claiming that marketers are forced to rely on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates, while NUPENG has accused the refinery of opposing the unionization of its truck workers despite a government-brokered agreement.
On its part, the refinery maintains that the plan is intended to stabilize supplies and reduce expenses, accusing marketers of pursuing subsidies and encouraging diversion. Concerns about competitiveness, labor rights, and price in the downstream oil industry have increased as a result of the deadlock.
Independent petroleum marketers and retail owners who have relied on direct self-collection from the refinery’s gantry and have not registered for the free delivery system are anticipated to be impacted by the decision.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery reportedly reiterated its stance on the ongoing conflict with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria on Thursday, September 18, 2025, stating that it would not pay for logistics expenses that marketers are attempting to pass on as a subsidy.
