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PETROAN to suspend lifting and dispensing of petroleum products from September 9.
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Strike coincides with NUPENG’s industrial action over job security concerns and Dangote Refinery dispute.
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Government urged to intervene to avert nationwide economic disruption.
Filling station owners under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have issued a three-day notice of planned suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products, effective from Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The announcement was made by PETROAN National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, during a nationwide address to members in Abuja.
Dr Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, stated that the move is part of the association’s advocacy for healthy competition in the petroleum downstream sector, opposing monopolistic tendencies that threaten small and medium-scale operators.
He emphasised that the planned strike will be lawful, peaceful, and conducted with the utmost regard for workers’ rights and sectoral stability.
According to Dr Gillis-Harry, “The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced a three-day forewarning of suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products commencing from the early hours of Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in our advocacy for healthy competition as against any form of monopoly in the Nigerian petroleum downstream sector.”
The planned PETROAN action coincides with the proposed strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which centres on disputes with Dangote Refinery and concerns over job security for tanker drivers. Dr Gillis-Harry stressed that pump attendants, who are registered NUPENG members, would not face disciplinary measures if they participate in the industrial action.
Highlighting the wider implications, Dr Gillis-Harry warned that the aggressive expansion of Dangote Refinery could push private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, truck owners, and drivers out of business, potentially triggering millions of job losses nationwide. He cautioned Nigerians against short-term promises that resemble a “Father Christmas” gesture, urging vigilance against monopolistic strategies that may destabilise the sector in the long term.
In response to the looming strike, PETROAN convened an emergency national general meeting to consult on alternative solutions. In the event of no resolution, the association will mobilise a 120-member compliance team to safeguard members’ facilities across the country.
Calls for federal intervention have been made to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum, the NNPC Group CEO, the NMDPRA, and security agencies, to prevent potential hardship on Nigerians arising from the shutdown and to ensure uninterrupted operations within the oil and gas sector.
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Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone, had earlier announced a shutdown starting Monday, September 8, citing threats from Dangote Refinery and MRS Energy Ltd, which they argue violates the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Chief Oyewole Akanni, IPMAN Western Zone Chairman, warned that over 4,000 truck drivers and motor boys risk losing their livelihoods if the monopolistic trend is allowed to continue.
Analysts have warned that the coordinated industrial actions by PETROAN, IPMAN, and NUPENG could lead to nationwide fuel scarcity, price volatility, and economic disruption if not urgently addressed by the federal government.
