Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has suspended its discounted fuel supply programme following the discovery of a diversion scheme involving some affiliate marketers and strategic partners.

An internal investigation revealed that certain marketers granted access to subsidised refined petroleum products were diverting them to unregistered third-party vendors. These marketers were reportedly using their Authority To Collect loading tickets to enable non-affiliated dealers — including importers — to lift products directly from the refinery. The diverted fuel was then sold at higher market rates, undermining the scheme’s aim of ensuring affordability and nationwide availability.

The discount initiative was introduced to help Dangote’s affiliate marketers maintain competitive profit margins amid price wars with fuel importers. However, the refinery found that instead of bearing the costs of logistics and retail distribution, some marketers exploited the system for quick profits by bypassing legitimate supply channels.

In a letter dated July 13, 2025, and signed by Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Fatima Dangote, the company announced the immediate suspension of the discount scheme. The letter, addressed to all strategic partners, described the actions of the errant marketers as damaging to the sustainability of the refinery’s operations and the broader downstream market.

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.

“Unfortunately, over the last few months, DPRP has been receiving unprecedented complaints of Strategic Partners (Partners) selling their ATCs at the refinery (Tarmac) below the prevailing PMS gantry product price. Whilst we have engaged Partners severally on this, it has become evident that this has become an area of grave concern to DPRP as it affects the sustainability of our gantry operations.

“To this end, DPRP Management is suspending the discounted price offered to Partners effective 13th July 2025 and working towards restructuring the scheme.”

However, the refinery granted certain concessions to facilitate continued product off-take. It confirmed that all outstanding Product Release Notes issued at the discounted partner rate would remain valid for loading. In addition, any partner who had completed the payment process before the suspension took effect would still be allowed to lift products at the previously agreed discounted rate.

Furthermore, the company reiterated that all retail stations must strictly adhere to the recommended pump prices to maintain price uniformity and prevent further distortion of the downstream market.