New Fuel Prices Emerge as Dangote, Other Depots Shut Down over NUPENG Nationwide Strike
- Dangote Refinery and depot owners have shut down petrol loading nationwide following NUPENG’s strike
- Across various loading points, NUPENG and its affiliate members, such as IPMAN and PTD, have denied truck drivers access to fuel loading
- NUPENG and IPMAN also warned filling stations still selling fuel that they faced a N1 million fine if they opened to the public
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers’ (NUPENG) nationwide strike has crippled activities in the Nigerian downstream sector.
On Monday, September 8, 2025, the union commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down fuel depots nationwide.
Source: Getty Images
Dangote, depot owners in a fix
The action also followed an emergency decision with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
According to a report by PetroleumPriceNG, in Delta State, IPMAN and NUPENG ordered the shutdown of filling stations, warning that operators faced a N1 million fine if they failed to comply.
In Lagos, Dangote Refinery, Rainoil, and Integrated have halted loading as the strike quickly stalled operations.
Depot operations halt nationwide
Checks revealed that members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Lagos branch, blocked trucks from entering Dangote Refinery, Rainoil, and Integrated depots, crippling loading activities.
In Warri, PTD members reportedly enforced the strike by preventing trucks from accessing storage entry points.
As a result, fuel loading was suspended, increasing fears of scarcity across Delta State.
According to reports, the strike halted operations in Calabar, affecting loading at Matrix and First Fortune depots.
Witnesses said that no trucks moved in and out of the facilities throughout the day, leaving marketers stranded.
PTD members in Port Harcourt sealed Soroman and Evergreen depots, as trucks attempting to load were turned back.
At Master's Energy and TSL depot, PTD members grounded operations, with tanker drivers manning the gates and denying access.
NUPENG’s angst against Dangote Refinery
A prior report by Legit.ng disclosed that NUPENG announced that its members would begin a nationwide strike from Monday, September 8, 2025.
The action is a protest against what NUPENG describes as anti-union labour practices linked to the deployment of the CNG trucks by the Dangote Refinery.
NUPENG explains the reason for the strike
NUPENG’s decision was conveyed in a statement signed by its national president, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale.
According to the letter, NUPENG disclosed that on June 14, 2025, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, announced plans to import 4,000 CNG trucks, which were later increased to 10,000 for nationwide fuel distribution.
Source: Getty Images
NUPENG revealed that while the development was initially appealing to its members, it raised questions among stakeholders, such as the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), about its wider implications.
Group warns NUPENG over nationwide strike
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Mass Action Against Economic Saboteurs (MAAES), a citizens-led coalition, has issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over its threat of a nationwide strike against Dangote Petroleum Refinery. R
The union threatened to direct its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch to halt fuel loading nationwide starting September 8 if its demands were not met.
In a statement on Saturday, MAAES President George Priye West said NUPENG’s claims were unfounded and dangerous, describing them as a veiled attempt to hold Nigeria hostage.
Source: Legit.ng
