The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced it will suspend the sale of petrol in naira starting Sunday, September 28, 2025. The decision stems from the exhaustion of its crude-for-naira allocations, which had previously enabled domestic currency transactions. In a formal notice to marketers, the refinery stated that it had been selling petroleum products beyond its allocated quota for naira-denominated crude and could no longer sustain local currency sales.
Customers with pending naira-based transactions have been advised to request refunds. The suspension has triggered concerns across the downstream sector, with analysts warning of potential volatility in fuel pricing and foreign exchange markets. Industry experts suggest that if transactions shift predominantly to dollars, pump prices could climb above ₦900 per litre, further straining consumers already grappling with inflation and subsidy removal.
This is not the first time the refinery has paused naira sales. A similar suspension occurred in March 2025, sparking fears of dollarisation in the fuel market and pushing prices close to ₦1,000 per litre. The latest move coincides with escalating tensions between Dangote Refinery and labour unions, following the alleged termination of over 800 Nigerian workers. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered a halt to gas and crude supply to the facility, accusing the company of anti-labour practices.
With the refinery playing a central role in Nigeria’s fuel supply strategy, stakeholders warn that the twin crises of currency transition and industrial unrest could undermine government efforts to stabilize the energy sector.
