by Ola Williams-
Nigeria may be plunged into another round of fuel scarcity as filling station owners under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have declared their intention to halt the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products beginning Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The move coincides with the planned withdrawal of services by members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), who are protesting alleged job threats and unfair practices linked to Dangote Refinery.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, said the association was left with no choice but to take action.
“We have announced a three-day forewarning of suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products commencing from the early hours of Tuesday, September 9, 2025,” Gillis-Harry stated.
“This is part of our advocacy for healthy competition as against any form of monopoly in the Nigerian petroleum downstream sector.”
According to him, PETROAN’s action will align with NUPENG’s strike, which he stressed would be conducted “lawfully and peacefully.”
FG Urged to Intervene
Gillis-Harry appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, key petroleum sector regulators, and security chiefs to urgently intervene.
“We call on Mr. President, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Group CEO of NNPC, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, the Director General of DSS, and the Inspector General of Police to wade into this crisis immediately, even from their vacations,” he said.
“This is to avert the hardship and pain that would follow the suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing across the country.”
Pump Attendants to Join Strike
The PETROAN president also disclosed that pump attendants across member filling stations will not be available for duty during the strike, since they are registered members of NUPENG.
“We have instructed our members not to discipline or sack any pump attendant who will be absent from duty until the strike ends,” he clarified.
Warning Against Monopoly
Gillis-Harry further warned that Dangote Refinery’s aggressive business strategies could destabilize the oil sector.
“The aggressive business strategies of Dangote Refinery will push private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, retail owners, truck owners, and truck drivers out of business. This would trigger millions of job losses and devastate the economy,” he cautioned.
“Any strategy aimed at creating a monopoly is nothing but a ‘Father Christmas’ promise. Nigerians must not forget what happened in the cement industry.”
Emergency Meeting, Compliance Team
PETROAN disclosed that its emergency general meeting over the weekend resolved to continue consultations until Monday. However, if no solution is reached, the shutdown will proceed on Tuesday.
A 120-man compliance team has already been set up to monitor member filling stations nationwide and ensure the safety of facilities.
“As a critical stakeholder, PETROAN remains committed to healthy competition, a stable pricing regime, and an oil and gas sector that benefits every Nigerian,” Gillis-Harry concluded.
