The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to reinstate its suspended N5 per-litre fuel discount scheme for strategic partners. The initiative was temporarily halted following reported violations by some participating marketers.
The refinery uncovered a fresh racket involving some of its affiliate marketers and strategic partners who have been diverting subsidised refined petroleum products for profit, prompting the suspension of the refinery’s discounted fuel supply scheme.
The rebate designed to support Dangote’s registered affiliate marketers in achieving stable profit margins amid price competition from fuel importers, while also guaranteeing nationwide availability of the refinery’s products, was paused on July 13 following allegations of diversion and abuse of authority by certain dealers.
This allowed them to cash in on the price differential without incurring legitimate costs associated with logistics, retail station operations, or administrative compliance, making a fast profit.
A letter to all strategic partners issued on July 13, 2025, signed by the Group Executive Director-Commercial Operations, Fatima Dangote, disclosed that some marketers were reselling petroleum products directly from the tarmac at rates below the official gantry price.
The refinery noted that the diverted products were often sold at market rates far above the agreed subsidised prices, effectively undermining the core objectives of the scheme and distorting the downstream market.
Miffed by this situation, the refinery directed the suspension of its discount scheme for its customers with effect from July 13, 2025.
The letter titled, “Suspension of the Strategic Partner Discounted Price”, read, “In our drive to ensure the distribution and retail sale of DPRP refined petroleum products across your service stations nationwide, DPRP commenced the strategic partnership scheme with the sole aim of ensuring consumers nationwide have access to affordable and clean petroleum products.
Some users questioned the motives behind the suspension and accused the refinery of prioritising profits over public good.
“Instead of helping ease the burden on consumers, these actions likely contributed to artificial scarcity, price hikes, and growing frustration at the pump. It’s a classic case of profit being prioritised over public good,” wrote #BuzzNaija.
