Dangote trucks: NARTO, PETROAN, others to join petroleum strike

Nigeria’s fuel distribution chain faces fresh disruption as three major industry groups have signaled readiness to join the strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) announced on Monday that they would align with the industrial action in protest against Dangote Refinery’s decision to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution.

Addressing a joint press briefing, NOGASA President, Bennett Korie, instructed suppliers of petroleum products to suspend deliveries to key facilities — including telecom sites, hotels, and construction companies — if talks with the federal government fail to yield results by Tuesday morning.

Korie explained that members were worried about shrinking supply opportunities and possible job losses across the downstream sector once Dangote begins bypassing existing distribution networks.

“It is thereby directed that all oil and gas suppliers to all construction companies, industries, hotels, and telecommunications sites nationwide should be withdrawn their services with the effect from tomorrow, 9 September 2025, pending when the matter is resolved. I repeat, withdraw their services from tomorrow. We resolutely appeal to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and facilitate a dialogue between downstream sector distribution stakeholders and Dangote Refinery so that we move forward to avoid further destruction of petroleum products to Nigerians,” he said.

Also speaking, PETROAN President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, argued that the move may bring little long-term value to the market.

“So 4,000 trucks will go to 4,000 stations, and how much, how long will that take place? So we need to ask ourselves the question that did we not see the same trucks loading our cement to the various cement kiosks across the country? Has it reduced the price? So, we need to protect this industry so that our energy security will be guaranteed,” he said.

Gillis-Harry added that retail workers participating in the strike would not be penalized. “That is why PATRIAN has directed that any NUPENG member that is working with all our retail outlets that joins in the strike, if the matter is not resolved tomorrow or today, will not be sacked, will not be terminated, and therefore we give tacit support to the industry leaders and stakeholders and Dangote and the federal government that we should meet and quickly resolve this matter. This matter is not a difficult decision.”

On his part, NARTO President, Yusuf Lawal Othman, warned that Dangote’s distribution model threatens to destabilize the entire sector.

He rejected any plan for free distribution of petroleum products, describing it as an attempt to edge out independent transporters who form the backbone of fuel supply nationwide.

“At present, NARTO members collectively 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 financial commitments from both local and international banks, as well as marketers and depot owners,” Othman said.

He cautioned that dismantling the current distribution structure would wipe out investments and plunge thousands of workers — from drivers to mechanics and loaders — into unemployment.