The Federal Government has moved to calm fears of fuel shortages, assuring Nigerians that the supply of refined petroleum products will remain steady despite ongoing disputes between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery.
This assurance was given in a statement issued on Sunday, September 28, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Finance following a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
The session, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reviewed recent developments in the downstream sector and addressed concerns around supply security.
The committee noted two key issues:
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The purported suspension of the naira-for-crude oil arrangement by Dangote Refinery, which officials confirmed has now been amicably resolved.
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The industrial dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, which the government said is being treated with urgency and good faith.
Who Was at the Table
Those present at the meeting included:
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Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
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FIRS Chairman and head of the Technical Committee, Mr. Zacch Adedeji
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Representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
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Afreximbank
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Dangote Refinery officials
The committee reaffirmed that there will be no disruption in the domestic supply of petrol and other refined products.
Government’s Reassurance
The statement, signed by Mohammed Manga, FCAI, Director of Information and Public Relations, stressed that:
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The crude-for-naira initiative will continue without interruption.
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All outstanding issues, especially the PENGASSAN–Dangote labour dispute, are being urgently addressed.
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The federal government is committed to ensuring energy security, protecting consumers, and maintaining market stability.
The assurance comes at a time of heightened concern following PENGASSAN’s nationwide strike directive and Dangote Refinery’s earlier announcement of suspending naira-for-crude oil sales. Analysts say any disruption in refined product supply could exacerbate inflation, strain foreign reserves, and fuel public discontent.
By stepping in swiftly, the federal government aims to preserve confidence in its downstream oil reforms and avert a broader energy crisis.
