Petroleum product marketers have threatened to withdraw their services nationally on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, unless the Federal Government resolves the continuing conflict between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery.
The disagreement revolves around Dangote Refinery’s plans to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for statewide petroleum product distribution.
Leaders of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Petroleum Products Retail Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) warned at a joint press conference in Abuja that, while they support the refinery’s success, it must not come at the expense of their businesses.
They asked Dangote Refinery to focus on efficiently running its facilities while allowing other parties to grow in the downstream industry.
Mr. Beneth Korie, the President of NOGASA, voiced worry that allowing Dangote to supply products directly to stores will force marketers out of business.
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Korie said, “NOGASA acknowledges and is proud of the refinery’s role in enhancing Nigeria’s petroleum industry. However, our members have raised concerns regarding the effects of direct supply to end-users such as telecommunication sites, hotels, and construction companies.
“As responsible employers, we are particularly worried about the loss of supply opportunities and job losses that could jeopardize livelihoods across the distribution value chain. We formally requested a meeting with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to address these issues, but we have yet to receive a response.”
He issued a warning that marketers had no choice but to consider withdrawing their services nationwide in solidarity with NUPENG if the matter remained unresolved.
“It is hereby directed that all oil and gas suppliers to construction companies, industries, hotels, and telecommunication sites nationwide should withdraw their services effective tomorrow, September 9, 2025, pending when the matter is resolved,” he declared.
PETROAN President, Mr. Billy Gillis-Harry, supported the strike, saying marketers were acting to protect jobs in the sector.
Gillis-Harry described the Dangote Refinery as “our pride,” emphasizing the necessity of communal success, saying, “We want Dangote Refinery to be successful, but we want to succeed with him. Every segment of the industry should be successful—whether it is NARTO with transport owners, PTD of NUPENG in charge of drivers, NOGASA supplying diesel and heavy fuel to industries, or PETROAN, the last critical mile, ensuring quality products reach retail outlets at affordable prices.
“There will be job losses if this plan goes ahead. We don’t want to sack anyone, which is why we are crying out now for government intervention.”
NARTO National President, Mr. Yusuf Lawal Othman, warned that tanker owners, who now run around 30,000 tankers, will lose their investments.
“While we recognize and appreciate new investments in petroleum distribution, NARTO strongly rejects any plan for free distribution of petroleum products. Such an approach is unsustainable and a deliberate attempt to undermine thousands of independent transporters who form the backbone of Nigeria’s distribution network.
“At present, NARTO members operate more than 30,000 trucks across the country, employing thousands of drivers, assistants, and service providers. These operations sustain millions of dependents and are supported by major financial commitments from banks, marketers, and depot owners,” he stated.
