Dangote Refinery Accuses Industry Players of Sabotaging Fuel Distribution Plans
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has alleged that some actors within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are working to frustrate its efforts to roll out compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide fuel distribution.
In an advertorial published on Sunday, the refinery said recent criticisms of its operations are not rooted in genuine concerns but are instead part of a “calculated campaign of economic sabotage” orchestrated by vested interests threatened by the company’s innovations.
The dispute began on September 11, when the refinery announced it would begin free direct supply of petrol across the country from September 15. The following day, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) dismissed the initiative as a “Greek gift.”
On September 13, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) also faulted the move, describing Dangote’s claim of “free delivery” as misleading since marketers were required to lift 25 percent of their allocations directly from the refinery’s gantry.
Responding, Dangote Refinery argued that the backlash is aimed at undermining its plans to deploy CNG-powered trucks—an innovation the company described as “a transformative step towards Nigeria’s long-sought goal of energy self-sufficiency.”
The refinery dismissed DAPPMAN’s comments as a “face-saving attempt” and challenged the association’s credibility, citing a past incident involving substandard fuel. It recalled that in January 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) disclosed that one of DAPPMAN’s members had imported petrol with methanol levels above 15 percent—far beyond acceptable limits.
According to the refinery, the adulterated product caused widespread engine damage for thousands of motorists, yet no transparent inquiry was ever carried out to establish accountability.
Dangote Refinery maintained that its operations adhere to global best practices and warned that attempts to frustrate its initiatives would ultimately undermine the country’s energy security.
