LEKKI, Lagos – A wave of anxiety has gripped Nigeria’s energy sector as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reportedly suspended all petrol loading operations on Sunday, March 8, 2026. In a sudden move that caught many by surprise, hundreds of tanker drivers already queued at the multi-billion-dollar facility were instructed to leave the premises immediately, with all operations placed on an indefinite pause.
The Great Shutdown
The atmosphere at the Lekki Free Trade Zone turned from bustling to silent within hours. Eyewitnesses reported that refinery officials cleared the loading bays, citing “operational adjustments,” though no formal timeline for resumption was provided. This sudden halt has left petroleum marketers and transporters in a state of confusion, sparking fears of a looming supply crunch across the country.
Price Hike Fever: Is Another Jump Coming?
Industry insiders are sounding the alarm, noting that in the recent past, a “loading halt” at the Dangote plant has been the traditional precursor to a price hike.
- The Pattern: On March 6, a similar suspension preceded a ₦121 jump in the ex-depot price, which landed at ₦995 per litre.
- The Prediction: Independent marketers now speculate that the refinery is recalibrating its pricing templates to reflect the chaotic surge in global crude prices, which have breached the $90 per barrel mark following the escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
The ₦1,000 Barrier
If a new price increase is confirmed, it is almost certain that retail pump prices will shatter the ₦1,050 per litre ceiling in major cities, with far-flung states possibly seeing prices as high as ₦1,400.
The refinery has been under immense pressure to balance its books as the “Naira-for-Crude” deal faces hurdles. Sources suggest the facility is struggling with the massive gap between USD-denominated crude costs and the local currency proceeds from domestic sales.
National Anxiety
As news of the loading halt spread on Sunday evening, queues began to resurface at filling stations in Lagos and Abuja, as motorists scrambled to “top up” before the expected price adjustment hits.
The Dangote Group has yet to release an official statement regarding the suspension. However, for a nation already reeling from high inflation and the recent collapse of major retail anchors like Shoprite, any further increase in energy costs could prove to be the final straw for many struggling households.
