Dangote Refinery Halts Self-Collection Sales, Enforces Free Delivery Scheme Amid Marketers’ Dispute

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has suspended self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facility, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The decision, conveyed through an internal memo signed by the Group Commercial Operations Department, is aimed at boosting adoption of the refinery’s Free Delivery Scheme and stopping sales to unregistered marketers. The company emphasized that the move was purely operational, designed to enhance efficiency, and warned that payments made for self-collection after the effective date would be rejected.

Instead, Dangote urged its marketing partners to key into its Free Delivery Scheme, which ensures direct shipment of products to retail outlets. It also assured customers that the scheme remains fully operational for both existing and new clients, while apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the change.

The development comes amid a lingering face-off between the refinery, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). While NUPENG accuses Dangote of resisting unionisation of truck drivers, DAPPMAN has criticized the free delivery model as exploitative. Dangote, however, insists the policy curbs diversion, reduces costs, and promotes supply stability, rejecting marketers’ claims of a hidden subsidy. The standoff continues to fuel concerns over fuel pricing, labour rights, and competition in the downstream oil sector.