Dangote Refinery Suspends Self-Collection Sales, Pushes Free Delivery Scheme

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has suspended self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facility, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The company announced the directive in a mail correspondence signed by its Group Commercial Operations Department, obtained on Friday. The suspension is aimed at promoting wider adoption of its Free Delivery Scheme for retail outlets and halting sales to unregistered marketers.
“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,” the correspondence read in part.
The company added that payments for self-collection made after the effective date would not be honoured. “In light of this development, we kindly request that all payments related to active PFIs for self-collection are also placed on hold until further notice. Please note that any payment made after this date will not be honoured.”
Dangote urged marketers to switch to its Free Delivery Scheme, which it said ensures direct shipment of products to retail outlets. “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 refinery apologised for the inconvenience the new policy might cause, describing it as an operational adjustment to improve efficiency.
The decision comes amid a lingering standoff between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
While NUPENG has accused Dangote Refinery of resisting unionisation of its truck drivers despite a government-brokered agreement, DAPPMAN has criticised the Free Delivery Scheme, alleging that it forces marketers to depend on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates.
On its part, Dangote has maintained that the delivery scheme is designed to stabilise supply and reduce costs, accusing marketers of seeking subsidies and fuelling diversion. The company specifically rejected claims by DAPPMAN over a reported ₦1.505 trillion subsidy demand, insisting in a statement shared Thursday on its official X account that it had the right to defend its operations from “misleading reports.”
The suspension of gantry sales is expected to impact independent petroleum marketers and retail owners who are yet to register for the Free Delivery Scheme and have traditionally relied on direct self-collection from the refinery.