Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has revealed plans to halt the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products nationwide for three days.
Gatekeepers News reports that this comes just two days after the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) announced that its members would stop work and begin seeking alternative employment from September 8, citing issues with Dangote refinery’s fuel distribution system.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s national public officer, the association said the action would begin on September 9.
The statement reads, “The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (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 their advocacy for healthy competition as against any form of monopoly in the Nigerian Petroleum downstream sector.”
Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s national president, explained that the move is aimed at resisting monopolistic practices while pushing for fairness in the oil sector.
He described the decision as lawful and peaceful, stressing that it highlights the association’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights, stabilising pump prices, and defending the interests of Nigerians.
The association’s President appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister of state for petroleum (oil), the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the inspector-general of police to step in and prevent unnecessary hardship for citizens.
Gillis-Harry also pointed out that petrol attendants in PETROAN-affiliated stations are members of NUPENG, which has already issued its own strike threat. He urged station owners not to punish attendants who stay away from work during the planned action.
On the broader impact of Dangote refinery’s activities, he criticised the “aggressive business strategies,” warning that Dangote refinery could edge out private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, retailers, and truck drivers.
He cautioned Nigerians not to be misled by short-term fuel price cuts, stressing that monopolistic control could replicate what happened in the cement sector, leading to mass unemployment and long-term economic strain.
According to him, PETROAN will continue consultations on Sunday and Monday, but will proceed with the suspension if no resolution is reached.
Gillis-Harry added, “As a critical player among stakeholders, PETROAN will join efforts to ensure healthy competition in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This collaborative effort aims to foster growth, protect workers, and ultimately benefit the economy.”
He noted that PETROAN has established a 120-man compliance team to monitor filling stations and protect facilities throughout the exercise.
