Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petrol in naira for the second time this year, fuelling fresh concerns about pump prices and pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
In a notice sent to customers at 6:42 pm on Friday, the refinery said the suspension would begin on Sunday, 28 September 2025, after exhausting its crude-for-naira allocation.
“We have been selling petroleum products in excess of our naira-crude allocations and are unable to sustain PMS sales in naira going forward,” the company stated. Customers with ongoing naira-based transactions were asked to request refunds.
This latest move comes just months after the refinery halted naira fuel sales in March, a decision that triggered speculation over the “dollarisation” of Nigeria’s fuel market. That episode pushed pump prices above ₦1,000 per litre.
Analysts warn of renewed volatility. “Petrol prices could climb above ₦1100 per litre if transactions shift mainly to dollars,” said Jeremiah Olatide, CEO of Petroleumprice.ng.
The announcement coincides with rising industrial tension. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) accused the company on Friday of sacking more than 800 Nigerian workers, describing it as “an unjust and insensitive decision.”
Union leaders threatened nationwide solidarity actions if the issue remains unresolved.
With the refinery central to Nigeria’s energy reforms, stakeholders caution that the dual crises — suspension of naira sales and labour unrest could undermine government efforts to stabilise the domestic fuel market.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
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