The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a major shake-up in its fuel distribution system, halting direct fuel sales to unregistered marketers and introducing a compulsory doorstep delivery plan.
In an email sent to partners on Thursday, September 20, 2025, the refinery said all “self-collection” fuel pick-ups are suspended until further notice. Payments for any Product Fulfilment Instructions (PFIs) after September 18 will no longer be accepted.
“Effective immediately, all gantry sales are on hold,” the company wrote. “Active and new customers must register for the DPRP Free Delivery Scheme, which ensures seamless fuel supply directly to their stations.”
The refinery apologised for the disruption but called the move an “operational adjustment” aimed at efficiency and tighter regulation.
Union Tensions and Marketers’ Backlash
The decision follows an escalating standoff with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
NUPENG accuses Dangote of blocking union activities among its truck drivers despite a government-brokered deal.
DAPPMAN claims the refinery’s nationwide delivery plan forces marketers to rely on Dangote’s own fleet at premium rates.
Dangote’s management fired back, insisting the direct-delivery model will stabilise fuel supply and cut hidden costs, accusing depot owners of demanding “unrealistic subsidies” and manipulating petrol consumption data to inflate subsidies and profits.
“The widely quoted 93 million litres daily petrol consumption is grossly overstated,” the company argued, saying actual demand is less than half that figure.
Expanding Distribution Network
Despite the disputes, Dangote Refinery continues to grow its retail partnerships, recently onboarding 15 new marketers, including TotalEnergies, Garima Petroleum, Sunbeth Energies, Sobax Nigeria Limited, and Virgin Forest Energy.
Industry insiders say the new policy could reshape Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, shifting power away from private depots and tightening oversight of petroleum product movement.
