The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the immediate suspension of petrol sales in naira, a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s downstream oil sector and raised fresh concerns about fuel pricing and foreign exchange pressure.
In an official communication sent to marketers at 6:42 p.m. on Friday, the refinery stated that the suspension will take effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025. The decision stems from the exhaustion of its crude-for-naira allocation, which had previously enabled local currency transactions for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“We write to inform you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has been selling petroleum products in excess of our Naira-Crude allocations and, consequently, we are unable to sustain PMS sales in Naira going forward,” the statement read.
Customers with pending naira-based transactions have been advised to formally request refunds for payments already made. The refinery assured stakeholders that updates regarding the resumption of naira-based sales will be provided once the situation is resolved.
This development follows recent controversy surrounding the refinery’s mass layoff of over 800 Nigerian workers, which has drawn criticism from labour unions and sparked calls for nationwide action.
Industry experts warn that the suspension could intensify dollarisation in the fuel market and potentially lead to a spike in pump prices, which have already approached ₦1,000 per litre earlier this year during a similar pause in naira sales. However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has urged calm, expressing confidence that the issue will be resolved without major disruption.