Dangote Refinery Denies Monopoly Claims, Cites 30 Private Licences
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed allegations of monopolistic practices, insisting that Nigeria’s oil sector remains open and competitive, with over 30 private refinery licences issued by the Federal Government.
In a statement released on Friday, September 12, 2025, the company said the presence of other players—including BUA, Aradel, Walter Smith, and the Edo Refinery—proves that the market is not monopolised.
“Responding to accusations of monopolistic behaviour, Dangote Refinery emphasised its compliance with Nigeria’s deregulated oil sector under the supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“The company highlighted that over 30 refinery licences have been issued to private players, with active developments by BUA, Aradel, Walter Smith, and the Edo Refinery,” the statement read in part.
Dangote also refuted claims of labour abuse, noting that its expansion projects, including new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, are generating thousands of jobs. It added that staff are free to join trade unions.
The company further said its operations have helped stabilise fuel supply and lower prices, pointing out that diesel costs have dropped by more than 30% in the past year while petrol remains competitive regionally.
Since its launch, the refinery has supplied both domestic and international markets with fuels and by-products such as LPG, polypropylene, and naphtha. Increased local LPG supply, it noted, has eased cooking gas costs and promoted cleaner household energy use.
Reaffirming its business ethics, the company called the monopoly accusations “entirely unfounded” and encouraged wider investment in the industry.
Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery confirmed it would begin direct petrol supply to 11 states starting Monday, September 15, 2025, with retail pump prices set at N841 per litre in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, and N851 per litre in Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara.
On the labour dispute, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) alleged that Dangote drivers were told to remove union stickers and forcefully load trucks, violating an earlier agreement reached with federal officials and security agencies.
The union also claimed that a top Dangote executive, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, summoned the Navy to the refinery site in what it described as intimidation. In response, NUPENG placed its members on red alert and warned of a possible return to strike action if agreements were not respected.
