Dangote Refinery has stopped letting unregistered marketers come to the refinery, pay, and pick up fuel by themselves. In a note to partners, the company said all “self-collection” (gantry) sales are on hold from Thursday, September 18, 2025, and advised marketers to use its delivery option instead. 

Payments made after that date for self-collection will not be accepted. The new rule in simple terms:

• If you are not registered with the refinery, you won’t get fuel.
• Even if you’re registered, you can’t send trucks to load at the gantry for now.
• Use the refinery’s delivery scheme (often described as a “free delivery” programme to retail stations) to receive products at your outlets. 

Why is this happening now?

Over the past weeks, there has been tension between the refinery and industry groups, especially the tanker drivers’ union (NUPENG) and the depot owners’ association (DAPPMAN). 

Court orders, strike threats, and public statements raised the risk of supply disruptions. Tightening sales to registered customers and shifting to a delivery model is Dangote’s way to control distribution and reduce conflict at the loading point. 

DAPPMAN has also pushed back on Dangote’s wider distribution plans and on claims about market practices, while Dangote says some marketers want unfair terms and that tighter controls will keep supplies steady. The back-and-forth shows how sensitive fuel logistics remain as the refinery scales up. 

What this means for marketers

• Register or pause lifting: Unregistered marketers are cut off. Those registered must follow the delivery route instead of self-collectioN.
• Cashflow change: No more paying for gantry pickups after Sept 18. Plan payments around delivery scheduling.
• Operational shift: Expect more coordination on drop-offs to retail stations. The refinery says delivery helps keep queues short and supply predictable; some marketers worry it reduces their flexibility

What this means for consumers

For drivers and households, the change could stabilize supply if deliveries flow as planned, because the refinery controls where product goes and when. However, any fresh dispute or logistics hiccup could create short-term tightness in some locations while the new process settles.

This is not the first adjustment this year. Earlier, there were disputes about discounts, truck movements, and union rules at loading points. The refinery and marketers have traded claims on volumes, pricing, and who causes shortages. 

Today’s decision continues a trend: centralizing distribution and demanding stricter compliance from marketers.