The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has issued a three-day notice for the suspension of lifting and dispensing petroleum products starting Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The move is aimed at advocating for fair competition and resisting monopolistic practices in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s National President, addressed members in Abuja, stressing that the planned action will be lawful and peaceful. He affirmed the association’s dedication to safeguarding workers’ rights while maintaining industry stability and protecting citizens from sudden fuel shortages or price disruptions.
Dr. Harry urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum, the NNPC Group CEO, the NMDPRA Executive, as well as top security agencies, to intervene promptly to prevent possible hardship for Nigerians due to the suspension.
He also highlighted that many pump attendants at PETROAN member stations are registered NUPENG members. Consequently, any ongoing NUPENG strike would directly impact station operations. PETROAN has instructed station owners not to penalize employees who participate in the strike.
According to Dr. Harry, aggressive strategies by Dangote Refinery could potentially displace private depot operators, modular refineries, truck owners, and retail marketers, resulting in widespread job losses and significant economic consequences. He urged Nigerians to be cautious about initiatives promising short-term benefits that may ultimately harm the economy, citing lessons from the cement industry.
In preparation for the planned suspension, PETROAN held an emergency national general meeting to coordinate consultations over the weekend. Should talks fail, a 120-member compliance team will monitor member facilities to ensure safety and adherence to the strike decision.
PETROAN continues to collaborate with other stakeholders to promote a competitive and sustainable petroleum sector that benefits workers and the broader Nigerian economy. Efforts to obtain IPMAN’s stance on the matter were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
