The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced a three-day warning strike on lifting and dispensing petroleum products nationwide. The industrial action is set to begin on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in a move to protest what the association describes as monopolistic practices in the downstream sector.
PETROAN’s decision follows closely behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which announced its own nationwide strike. Both unions are protesting the distribution model of the Dangote Refinery, which uses newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for direct product delivery. While this strategy is intended to be cost-effective, labor groups argue it poses a significant threat to jobs and fair competition.
In a statement, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s National President, described the planned action as “peaceful and lawful.” He emphasized the association’s commitment to ensuring pricing stability and a productive industry, urging President Bola Tinubu and other key government officials to intervene to prevent hardship for citizens.
Fear of a Monopolistic Takeover
Dr. Gillis-Harry reiterated PETROAN’s warning that the aggressive market strategy of the Dangote Refinery could have a devastating impact on the industry. He listed several potential negative effects, including:
Forcing private depot owners out of business.
Crippling modular refinery operators and marketers.
Causing job losses for millions of truck owners, drivers, and other workers.
Gillis-Harry cautioned Nigerians against being swayed by promises of short-term cheap fuel, drawing a parallel to the cement industry where dominance by a few players led to price hikes and reduced competition. He added that PETROAN will deploy a 120-man compliance team to monitor filling stations and ensure adherence to the strike.
The PETROAN leader also issued a strong warning to its members, stating that filling station owners must not discipline or sack any pump attendant who participates in the strike, as many are registered members of NUPENG. He affirmed that PETROAN’s stance is not about confrontation but about ensuring a balanced and fair marketplace that protects both workers and consumers.
