The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has confirmed that the Federal Government has initiated talks aimed at resolving the issues behind the association’s planned three-day nationwide suspension of fuel distribution, set to begin at midnight on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The update was given by PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday.
Gillis-Harry explained that the proposed shutdown was primarily a response to alleged monopolistic practices by the Dangote Refinery, which he claims is attempting to dominate the downstream petroleum sector from refining and logistics to retail distribution.
“This isn’t a fight, we want Dangote Refinery to succeed. But the industry must function with clearly defined roles for all stakeholders. What we’re insisting on is fairness and efficiency,” he said.
According to PETROAN’s Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the association had given the government until Monday night to engage stakeholders and avert the shutdown, which is aimed at resisting monopolistic control and defending workers’ rights.
In a related development, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) also issued a strike notice, effective Monday, September 8, citing what it described as exploitative labour practices by Dangote Refinery.
The union, in a statement signed by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olufemi, likened the treatment of workers to “modern-day slavery.”
While NUPENG has not yet fully downed tools, the union issued a warning strike notice, alerting the public of an impending disruption if concerns are not addressed.
“Our retail outlets staff are union members. So, if NUPENG proceeds with the strike, our operations will be automatically grounded,” Gillis-Harry explained.
The Dangote Group has not responded publicly to the accusations.
However, tensions are reportedly being fueled by the refinery’s recent move to import 4,000 CNG-powered trucks to handle direct distribution, bypassing traditional logistics players in the industry.
PETROAN and NUPENG argue that such vertical integration undermines existing structures and could lead to unregulated pricing, poor labour standards, and a potential crisis in fuel supply chain management.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has urged restraint from all parties.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, in a statement issued by ministry spokesperson Patience Onuobia, appealed to both PETROAN and NUPENG to suspend any planned industrial action.
The ministry also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its red alert, which had urged affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity action.
“We are actively engaging all stakeholders to ensure the sector remains stable,” Dingyadi said.
“A disruption in the petroleum distribution chain at this time could have significant economic consequences.”
Consultations between the government and stakeholders reportedly intensified over the weekend and continued into Monday.
Both PETROAN and NUPENG expressed cautious optimism that a resolution could be reached before the Tuesday deadline.
