By Oke Peter
Nigeria faces a looming nationwide fuel crisis as the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, (PETROAN), and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), have declared plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products in protest against what they described as monopolistic and anti-union practices linked to the Dangote Refinery.
In a statement on Sunday, PETROAN announced a three-day suspension of operations beginning Tuesday, September 9, 2025, warning that the move was aimed at protecting healthy competition in the downstream sector and averting monopolistic dominance.
“PETROAN has announced a three days 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,” said Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s Public Relations Officer.
The association stressed that the shutdown would be both lawful and peaceful, while appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, and other authorities to intervene urgently to avert hardship.
“We appeal to the President to find a solution to the crisis, ensuring the smooth operation of the oil and gas sector and minimizing disruptions to the nation’s economy,” Obele added.
PETROAN recalled its earlier warnings that the aggressive business strategies of Dangote Refinery could “push private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, retail owners, truck owners, and truck drivers out of business,” with dire consequences for jobs and fuel pricing.
On its part, NUPENG had accused Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata, of plotting to undermine unions and dominate Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“NUPENG is seriously concerned and disturbed with the unconscionable business practices of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits,” said Williams Akporeha, National President, and Aflabi Olawale, General Secretary, in a joint statement issued in Abuja.
The union condemned alleged plans by Dangote to import 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, trucks, claiming that new drivers under the scheme are being compelled to sign anti-union agreements.
“This is not philanthropy, it is economic sabotage. Dangote’s plan will enslave workers, crush competition, and ultimately raise fuel prices for ordinary Nigerians,” the statement read.
The union said all members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch would begin preparing for alternative employment starting Monday, September 8, 2025, if government fails to act.
“Workers are no slaves, to resist unions is to resist collective bargaining. The working class will not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” NUPENG warned.
Both unions have called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, and labour groups including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to intervene.
If the shutdown proceeds, industry experts warn it could trigger massive fuel scarcity, long queues at filling stations, and a spike in pump prices nationwide.
