The Dangote Group has accused powerful oil import cartels of using labour unions and industry associations to frustrate the operations of its refinery, warning that their actions undermine Nigeria’s push for energy security and economic independence.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Monday, the company criticised the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) for opposing the refinery’s recent reduction in petrol prices.
“It is regrettable that NUPENG has allowed itself to be weaponised by powerful oil import cartels that have consistently benefitted from Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported petroleum products, to the detriment of national growth and economic independence,” the company said.
The remarks followed NUPENG’s dismissal of the refinery’s price cut as a “Greek gift” and DAPPMAN’s description of the move as “unpatriotic.” Dangote argued that the responses exposed vested interests.
“Where is their own gift? If, as they claim, it is cheaper to import than to refine domestically, why have these same players not voluntarily reduced prices ahead of the Dangote Refinery’s interventions? Nigerians can attest that price reductions only occur in response to the refinery’s actions,” the statement read.
DAPPMAN’s Position
On Saturday, DAPPMAN alleged that Dangote’s pricing strategy distorted competition and strained domestic businesses.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, the association accused the refinery of timing price reductions to coincide with import arrivals, creating “price shocks” that hurt other market participants.
It also alleged that the refinery offered cheaper prices to international buyers while charging local off-takers more, and criticised its delivery model.
“Marketers are required to lift at least 25 percent of their allocations directly from the refinery gantry and must do so using only Dangote-owned trucks, paying commercial rates based on their destination. This arrangement imposes additional logistical and financial burdens on marketers,” Adewole said.
What You Should Know
Dangote Petroleum Refinery began direct supply of petrol to 11 states on Monday, September 15, 2025. Retail pump prices were set at N841 per litre for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, and N851 per litre for Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara. The gantry price was pegged at N820 per litre.
The company said it would provide free delivery of petrol to registered stations in the initial states, with plans to expand nationwide.
Commissioned in 2024, the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery is designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports. In July 2025, it received 4,000 CNG trucks under a N720 billion investment programme aimed at distributing 65 million litres of refined products daily, creating 15,000 jobs, and saving Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually in energy costs.
