Nigerians are staring down a potential fuel price hike as Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced it will stop selling petrol in naira starting Sunday, September 28, 2025. The $20 billion Lagos refinery, which can process 650,000 barrels daily, said it’s run out of its crude-for-naira allocation from the government, forcing a pause on local currency transactions. A notice emailed to customers Friday evening at 6:42 p.m., signed by Group Commercial Operations, advised those with pending naira payments to seek refunds.
“We’ve been selling more petrol than our naira-crude allocation allows, and we can’t keep it up,” the statement read. “This suspension takes effect September 28, and we’ll update you when things stabilize.” The move echoes a similar halt in March 2025, when short supplies pushed pump prices close to ₦1,000 per litre and raised fears of dollar-only fuel sales. Abubakar Maigandi, head of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, confirmed prices will climb as marketers pivot to dollar-based deals.
The decision comes amid heated disputes at the refinery. PENGASSAN, the oil workers’ union, accused Dangote of sacking over 800 Nigerian employees—many who recently joined the union—while keeping 2,000 Indian expatriates. They slammed it as “unjust” and threatened nationwide protests if unresolved.
Refinery bosses pushed back, saying only a few workers were let go for sabotage, not mass layoffs. The plant’s growing diesel exports to Europe have also sparked questions about its focus on local supply.
