Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals will suspend sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Naira from Sunday, September 28, 2025. The move unsettled marketers and raised fresh concerns about fuel pricing and foreign exchange pressures.
On Friday at 6:42 p.m., the refinery sent an email to customers explaining that it had exhausted its crude-for-naira allocation. As a result, it could no longer sustain petrol sales in the local currency.
The notice, signed by the Group Commercial Operations and titled “Suspension of DPRP PMS Naira Sales – Effective 28th September 2025,” stated:
“We have been selling petroleum products in excess of our Naira-Crude allocations. Consequently, we cannot sustain PMS sales in Naira going forward.
Kindly note that this suspension of Naira sales for PMS will be effective from Sunday, 28th of September, 2025. We will provide further updates regarding the resumption of supply once the situation has been resolved.
All customers with PMS transactions in Naira who would like a refund of their current payments should formally request the processing of their refund.”
Refunds for Customers
In line with this, the refinery advised customers with ongoing Naira transactions to submit formal refund requests. Furthermore, it promised to provide regular updates until it resolves the allocation issue and resumes Naira-based sales.
Rising Market Concerns
This latest suspension comes at a time of heightened tension within the refinery. In recent weeks, Dangote has faced backlash from labour unions over the alleged dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers. The dispute has sparked outrage and triggered calls for government intervention.
Moreover, this is not the first time Dangote has halted sales of the local currency. In March 2025, the refinery briefly suspended Naira transactions after allocations under the crude-for-naira program fell short. That decision drove pump prices close to ₦1,000 per litre and fuelled concerns about the dollarisation of petrol sales.
Now, analysts warn that the current suspension could once again destabilise the downstream sector. Jeremiah Olatide, CEO of Petroleumprice.ng, cautioned that pump prices may climb above ₦900 per litre, stressing that Dangote has recently been critical in holding prices down.
Labour Tensions Escalate
At the same time, labour unrest continues to escalate. On Friday, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria accused the refinery of anti-labour practices following the termination of hundreds of workers.
Union leaders have vowed to resist what they called “an unjust and insensitive corporate decision.” They also threatened nationwide solidarity actions if the management fails to address their demands.
What’s at Stake
With Dangote seen as central to Nigeria’s fuel security, stakeholders warn that the combined effect of halting Naira sales and intensifying labour disputes could weaken government efforts to stabilise the downstream market.
