Dangote Petroleum Refinery suspends self-collection gantry sales from Sept 18, urging marketers to adopt its free delivery scheme for improved efficiency

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has cut ties with all self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facility, effective from Thursday, 18 September 2025.

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The directive, confirmed through an internal mail from the company’s Group Commercial Operations Department, aims to encourage wider adoption of the refinery’s Free Delivery Scheme for retail outlets and to stop sales to unregistered marketers—whether they purchase directly from the refinery or indirectly through third parties.

Dangote described the move as an operational adjustment to improve efficiency and urged all marketers to register for the Free Delivery Scheme, which offers direct shipments to retail outlets, bypassing the need for self-collection.

The communication warned that payments made after the effective date for self-collection sales will be rejected. It read, in part:
“Effective 18th September 2025, all self-collection gantry sales are on hold until further notice. Payments related to active PFIs for self-collection should also be placed on hold. Any payments made after this date will not be honoured.”

Despite the suspension, the Free Delivery Scheme remains fully operational for both existing and new customers, with the refinery emphasising a commitment to seamless delivery.

The management apologised for any inconvenience caused, adding:
“We appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment.”

This decision follows ongoing tensions between Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).

NUPENG has accused the refinery of resisting unionisation efforts for its truck drivers, despite a government-mediated agreement.

Meanwhile, DAPPMAN has criticised the Free Delivery Scheme, alleging that marketers are forced to rely on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates.

Dangote maintains that the scheme is designed to stabilise supply, reduce costs, and curb diversion, accusing some marketers of seeking undue subsidies.

Also read: Dangote Petroleum Refinery rejects N1.5trn subsidy

The gantry sales suspension is expected to impact independent petroleum marketers and retail owners who have not yet registered for the Free Delivery Scheme and have relied on direct self-collection from the refinery.