Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has officially suspended self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.
This operational shift, communicated through an internal memo on Friday, is aimed at curbing sales to unregistered marketers while promoting its Free Delivery Scheme to a wider audience.
The refinery explained that this pause in self-collection sales is an adjustment to improve operational efficiency. A part of the directive read: “We wish to inform you that, effective 18th September 2025, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has placed all self-collection gantry sales on hold until further notice. Please note that any payment made after this date will not be honoured.”
Despite this, the refinery has confirmed that the Free Delivery Scheme remains fully operational and accessible to both existing and newly registered customers. The company emphasized that the scheme offers a seamless delivery experience for marketers and encourages them to join the initiative.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment,” the correspondence further stated.
The suspension has stirred reactions, especially as it comes amid ongoing tensions between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). NUPENG had accused the refinery of resisting unionization efforts for its truck drivers, a position that conflicts with a government-brokered agreement. DAPPMAN, on the other hand, has criticized Dangote’s Free Delivery Scheme, claiming that marketers are being forced to rely on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates.
However, the refinery has rejected these claims, asserting that the Free Delivery Scheme was specifically designed to stabilize product supply and prevent diversion. In response to DAPPMAN’s criticisms, the refinery’s management reiterated that it would not bear the logistics costs demanded by marketers, stating that its role is to provide stable supply at fair rates, not to cover inefficiencies in distribution.
“We will not absorb logistics costs disguised as subsidies. Our responsibility is to ensure stable supply at fair rates, not to underwrite inefficiencies in distribution,” the refinery asserted through its official social media channels.
