A fierce verbal confrontation has erupted between Dangote Refinery and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) regarding claims of a staggering N1.5 trillion in fuel subsidies.
In a robust statement released on Wednesday, the colossal $20 billion refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, accused DAPPMAN of attempting to secure N1.5 trillion in subsidies for its members in order to align with the oil companies’ gantry pricing of N820 per litre.
“We wish to emphatically clarify that we have no intention of elevating our gantry price to accommodate such exorbitant demands, nor do we intend to disburse a subsidy exceeding N1.5 trillion, a practice that has historically defrauded the Federal Government for many years,” the refinery stated.
“The members of DAPPMAN and other marketers are encouraged to lift products directly from our gantry and reap the benefits of our logistics-free initiative,” Dangote Refinery elaborated in its media statement.
The oil giant further accused DAPPMAN of smuggling and rerouting petroleum products to bordering nations.
Dangote Refinery specified that while it exported 3,229,881 metric tonnes of PMS, AGO, and aviation fuel, marketers imported 3,687,828 metric tonnes from June to September 2025.
In response to the allegations, DAPPMAN categorically denied all charges leveled by Dangote Refinery and issued a threat to initiate legal proceedings against the oil entity.
Petroleum marketers associated with DAPPMAN granted Dangote Refinery a narrow timeframe of seven days to retract its allegations.
Additionally, DAPPMAN challenged Dangote Refinery to furnish evidence supporting its claims.
It accused Dangote Refinery of extending a generous $40/MT discount to foreign traders while denying similar concessions to Nigerian marketers.
“In reality, it is the Dangote Refinery that provides discounts of over $40/MT to foreign traders whilst restricting Nigerian marketers to only gantry lifting without access to coastal vessel loading,” they claimed.
“We challenge Dangote Refinery to present conclusive evidence that members of DAPPMAN are engaged in the diversion of products to neighboring countries.
“Smuggling constitutes a national security issue. If any member is culpable, we urge the pertinent agencies to take appropriate action.
“We hereby declare a 7-day ultimatum to the refinery to either retract this allegation or provide documented proof. If neither action is taken, we reserve the right to pursue legal remedies,” DAPPMAN asserted on Wednesday.
According to DAILY POST, a court ruling on Wednesday barred the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) from any strike action against Dangote Refinery due to alleged anti-labor practices.
Previously, Dangote Refinery had accused DAPPMAN and the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited in court over importation matters, but the oil firm ceased legal proceedings in July 2025.
