The Federal Government on Sunday assured Nigerians that fuel supply will remain stable despite concerns over the naira-for-crude oil deal and disputes involving the Dangote Refinery.
In a statement following the meeting of the Steering Committee for the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative in Abuja, the Ministry of Finance emphasized that energy security and downstream stability remain top priorities.
The committee, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, confirmed that it resolved the refinery’s suspension of naira-for-crude sales.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the committee reassures that the crude oil for naira initiative will continue,” the statement said. “We are addressing all outstanding issues, especially the dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, with urgency and good faith.”
Other attendees included the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, who also leads the Technical Committee; representatives of the NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Afreximbank, and the Dangote Refinery.
The government emphasized that Nigerians should not expect fuel scarcity or sudden price hikes.
“The Federal Government remains fully committed to ensuring energy security, protecting consumers, and maintaining stability in the domestic petroleum market,” it added.
Dangote Reverses Suspension, Resumes Naira Sales
The assurances followed reports that Dangote Refinery had resumed petrol sales in naira. In a memo sent to marketers on Saturday, the refinery linked the decision to the intervention of the Naira-for-Crude Technical Committee.
“Following the intervention of the Naira for Crude Technical Committee Chairman, we are pleased to inform you of the resumption of PMS sales in Naira commencing immediately,” the refinery announced. “You may place your orders in naira for both self-collection and free delivery to the advised locations nationwide.”
The memo reversed an earlier notice issued on Friday, which suspended naira transactions starting Sunday, September 28, 2025, citing exhaustion of crude-for-naira allocations. Federal intervention ended the standoff.
Labour Dispute Heightens Tensions
While the sales issue eased, labour disputes kept tensions high. On Saturday, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) directed members to withdraw their services, accusing Dangote Refinery of mass dismissals.
In a circular signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union claimed the refinery sacked more than 800 Nigerian workers for joining the association and replaced them with “over 2,000 Indians.” It described the action as a violation of labour laws, the Constitution, and ILO conventions, calling it “an affront to all Nigerian workers.”
PENGASSAN ordered members in field locations to down tools from Sunday and declared a nationwide shutdown across offices, companies, and agencies starting Monday. The NEC also announced 24-hour prayer vigils and vowed to sustain the strike until the refinery reinstates the workers.
With the Federal Government now mediating, the strike may be called off if the parties reach an agreement.
