The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has discontinued self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facilities from Thursday, September 18, 2025.
This was stated in a mail exchange obtained by our correspondent on Friday and signed by the company’s Group Commercial Operations Department.
The instruction intends to increase adoption of the refinery’s free delivery plan for retail outlets while also prohibiting sales to unregistered marketers, whether they buy directly from its depot or indirectly through other marketers.
Dangote noted that the decision was an operational change to improve efficiency. The corporation encouraged marketers to use its Free Delivery Scheme, which offers direct shipments to retail establishments.
It further stated that any payments received after the effective date will be refused.
The communication, directed at its marketing partners, read in part, “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. In light of this development, we kindly request that all payments related to active PFIs for self-collection also be placed on hold until further notice. Please note that any payment made after this date will not be honored.”
However, the company stated that its Free Delivery Scheme will continue to be available to both existing and new clients.
“We encourage all active and newly onboarded customers to register for the DPRP Free Delivery Scheme, which remains fully operational and offers a seamless delivery experience to your station,” the mail stated.
The company also apologized for the inconveniences the decision might cause, adding, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment.”
The development comes amid a persistent dispute between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria.
While NUPENG accuses the refinery of opposing unionization of its truck drivers despite a government-brokered agreement, DAPPMAN criticizes the company’s contentious “free delivery scheme,” claiming that marketers are forced to use Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates.
The refinery, for its part, claims that the system is intended to stabilize supplies and reduce prices, accusing marketers of seeking subsidies and fueling diversion. The dispute has raised worries about price, labor rights, and competitiveness in the downstream oil industry.
The move is expected to have an impact on independent petroleum marketers and store owners who have not signed up for the free delivery program and have relied on direct self-collection from the refinery’s gantry.
On Thursday, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its position on the ongoing dispute with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, insisting that it would not absorb logistics costs that marketers are seeking to pass on as a subsidy.
The recent clash between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and DAPPMAN comes at a time when the public is increasingly concerned about fuel pricing and distribution difficulties.
DAPPMAN, whose members run the majority of the country’s privately operated depots, had contended that transporting products from the refinery’s Lagos site to other parts of Nigeria would incur considerable logistics and coastal shipping costs.
On Thursday, Dangote Group’s official X account posted a statement titled “We Stand By Our Statement on DAPPMAN … Marketers’ ₦1.505trn Subsidy Demand” and signed by management; the refinery maintained that it had a right to defend its operations from misleading reports.
