By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petrol in the local currency, effective Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The move has raised immediate concerns about potential fuel price increases and added pressure on the foreign exchange market.
In a Friday evening email to customers, the refinery attributed the decision to having exceeded its “Naira-Crude allocations,” making it unsustainable to continue domestic currency sales.
The notice, signed by the Group Commercial Operations, instructed customers with ongoing naira transactions to formally request refunds.
This is the second such suspension in six months, following a similar move in March 2025 that led to a significant spike in pump prices. Analysts warn of a repeat scenario.
“The latest move could again trigger volatility in the downstream sector, with fears of a potential hike in petrol prices if transactions are shifted predominantly to dollars,” warned Jeremiah Olatide, CEO of Petroleumprice.ng, suggesting prices could soar above N900 per litre.
The announcement coincides with a major labour dispute at the refinery.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the company of anti-labour practices after it terminated the employment of over 800 Nigerian workers.
The dual crises of naira sales suspension and industrial unrest threaten to undermine the stability of Nigeria’s fuel market, casting a shadow over the government’s reform agenda.