By Muhammad Mamman
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced plans for a three-day nationwide shutdown of fuel distribution, beginning at midnight on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, in protest against what it described as monopolistic practices in the downstream petroleum sector.
The association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed the move in Abuja, warning that unless ongoing consultations with key stakeholders yield results by Monday, PETROAN members will suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products across the country.
According to a statement signed by PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the action is intended to defend workers’ rights, safeguard healthy competition, and protect Nigeria’s economy.
The association emphasised that the strike would be “peaceful and lawful”, reiterating its commitment to price stability and industry productivity. A 120-man compliance team has been set up to ensure safety at member outlets during the action.
Gillis-Harry urged President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and security chiefs to intervene urgently to avert nationwide hardship.
He warned that the aggressive business strategy of Dangote Refinery threatened to push private depot owners, modular refineries, marketers and transport operators out of the market, risking mass unemployment and economic decline. He likened the situation to the cement industry, cautioning Nigerians to resist monopolistic dominance.
Following an emergency national general meeting, PETROAN resolved that no employee would be dismissed for participating in the shutdown. The association reaffirmed its willingness to work with other stakeholders to ensure healthy competition in the sector, which it described as vital for protecting jobs, stabilising prices and sustaining economic growth.
