The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) to sheath their swords, avoid actions that could worsen the crisis, and instead embrace dialogue in resolving disputes within the petroleum sector.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, on Sunday, DAPPMAN noted that growing tensions and looming industrial actions could destabilize national petroleum supply and distribution, with severe consequences for the economy and citizens.
The intervention comes as NUPENG announced plans to commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, accusing Dangote Refinery of exploitative labour practices “akin to modern-day slavery.” The union insisted that the refinery’s management has consistently engaged in anti-labour practices, undermining workers’ rights. Dangote Refinery is yet to respond to the allegations.
Adding to the pressure, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also declared its intention to suspend lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days, beginning Tuesday, September 9, 2025. PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, announced the decision in Abuja, stating it was a move against monopolistic tendencies in the downstream sector.
According to the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the action would take effect at midnight on Tuesday if consultations scheduled from Sunday through Monday yielded no resolution. PETROAN emphasized that the shutdown would be peaceful, aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring price stability across the industry.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has urged NUPENG to reconsider its planned strike. In a statement signed by the ministry’s Head of Information, Patience Onuobia, the minister also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” it issued, which instructed its affiliates to prepare for a nationwide solidarity strike.
Dingyadi stressed that the government is actively mediating between the parties and urged all unions to allow dialogue to prevail over confrontation, warning that disruptions in the petroleum sector would worsen the country’s economic challenges.
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