By Obinna Uballa
Nigeria faces a looming fuel crisis as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have begun indefinite strike in Delta State, while petroleum marketers across the country threaten to withdraw services over a dispute with the Dangote Refinery.
The Delta State shutdown took effect from Monday, September 8, 2025, following a joint resolution by IPMAN and NUPENG after an emergency meeting on Saturday, September 6.
All filling stations in the state have been ordered to close as from 6:00 a.m. Monday until further directives from their national leadership, it was gathered.
In a circular distributed to members, the unions warned that any filling station operating during the strike would be fined N1 million.
The notice read in part: “Arising from an emergency meeting today, 6th September 2025, IPMAN and NUPENG have agreed that as from Monday, 8th September 2025, all filling stations should remain closed pending further directives from our national leadership. Any station found wanting will pay a fine of N1 million. Please pass this message round, as injury to one is injury to all.”
The action is expected to disrupt fuel supplies in Delta and could spread to other South-South states, as petroleum marketers often act in solidarity during industrial actions.
Adding to the tension, oil marketers under the umbrella of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Petroleum Products Retail Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have threatened to withdraw their services nationwide from Tuesday, September 9, 2025, if the Federal Government fails to resolve an ongoing dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Refinery.
The dispute stems from Dangote Refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute its petroleum products directly to retailers across Nigeria.
At a joint press briefing in Abuja, leaders of the associations expressed concerns that the move would sideline existing marketers and transporters, leading to job losses and business collapse across the downstream sector.
“NOGASA acknowledges and is proud of the refinery’s role in enhancing Nigeria’s petroleum industry. However, our members have raised concerns regarding the effects of direct supply to end-users such as telecommunication sites, hotels, and construction companies,” NOGASA President, Mr. Beneth Korie, said.
“As responsible employers, we are worried about the loss of supply opportunities and job losses that could jeopardize livelihoods across the distribution value chain. We requested a meeting with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to address these issues, but we have yet to receive a response.”
He warned that marketers would withdraw services nationwide in solidarity with NUPENG if the matter remains unresolved, directing members to halt supplies to construction companies, industries, hotels, and telecommunication sites starting September 9.
Backing the position, PETROAN President, Mr. Billy Gillis-Harry, stressed that marketers were acting to protect jobs: “We want Dangote Refinery to succeed, but we want to succeed with him. Every segment of the industry should thrive, whether NARTO with transport owners, PTD of NUPENG in charge of drivers, NOGASA supplying diesel and heavy fuel to industries, or PETROAN ensuring quality products reach retail outlets at affordable prices. There will be job losses if this plan goes ahead.”
On his part, NARTO National President, Mr. Yusuf Lawal Othman, warned that tanker owners who currently operate 30,000 trucks nationwide risk losing their investments: “While we recognize new investments in petroleum distribution, we reject any plan for free distribution of petroleum products. It is unsustainable and would undermine thousands of independent transporters who form the backbone of Nigeria’s distribution network.”
