The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days.
The development comes two days after the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) said workers will down their tools and start sourcing for alternative employment from September 8 due to Dangote refinery’s fuel distribution.
PETROAN, in a statement signed by Joseph Obele, national public officer in a statement on Saturday, said the suspension will begin on September 9.
“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,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s national president, said the move is intended to advocate for healthy competition in the downstream oil sector and resist monopolistic practices, which the group warns could destabilise the industry.
He described the planned action as “lawful and peaceful,” adding that it underscores PETROAN’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights, stabilising petrol prices, and safeguarding the interests of Nigerian citizens.
Gillis-Harry called on President Bola Tinubu, the minister of state for petroleum (oil), the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of 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 urgently intervene in the crisis to avert hardship for citizens.
He noted that petrol attendants in PETROAN-member filling stations are registered with the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has also threatened strike action, and instructed station owners not to penalise attendants absent from work during the industrial action.
‘DANGOTE REFINERY COULD EDGE OUT PRIVATE DEPOT OWNERS’
On the broader market implications, Gillis-Harry criticised what he described as the “aggressive business strategies” of the Dangote refinery, warning that they could edge out private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, retailers, and truck drivers.
He cautioned Nigerians not to be swayed by short-term price relief, warning that monopolistic dominance could replicate what happened in the cement sector, leading to mass unemployment and long-term economic strain.
PETROAN said it has scheduled further consultations on Sunday and Monday, but would proceed with the suspension if no resolution is reached.
“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,” Gillis-Harry said.
The group added that it has set up a 120-man compliance team to monitor filling stations and safeguard facilities during the action.
