The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petrol in naira, a move that has unsettled fuel marketers and reignited concerns over fresh pressure on the nation’s economy.Industry sources confirmed on Saturday that the refinery, which recently began large-scale supply to the Nigerian market, has temporarily halted transactions in the local currency. The development has raised fears among marketers that the decision could trigger a resurgence of forex-related challenges in the downstream sector.According to insiders, the suspension has already disrupted supply arrangements, with some dealers warning that the move may push pump prices higher if not urgently addressed.
They cautioned that relying solely on dollar-denominated transactions would compound the difficulties of accessing foreign exchange and increase operational costs for marketers.The refinery has not issued an official statement on the reason for the suspension, but stakeholders are pressing for clarity, stressing that stable and predictable pricing in naira remains critical for energy security and consumer protection.Economists also fear the policy shift could worsen inflationary pressures, particularly at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high living costs and unstable fuel prices.