Petrol Prices Surge to N1,700/L as NUPENG Strike Shuts Dangote Refinery and Depots Nationwide
- Petrol prices have hit the roof in some Nigerian states following the industrial action by NUPENG members
- According to reports, filling stations in Calabar, Cross River, have hiked their petrol prices by over 100%
- The situation has left commuters stranded, as motorists have increased their transportation costs by 10%
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Petrol prices have skyrocketed to as high as N1,700 per litre in some Nigerian states as the nationwide strike by the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) cripples the downstream sector.
The industrial action, which has forced the shutdown of the Dangote Refinery and major fuel depots across the country, has left filling stations closed, commuters stranded, and transport costs soaring.
Source: Getty Images
Fuel prices spike across states
With both depot operators and truck drivers grounded, fears of prolonged scarcity are spreading fast.
In Calabar, Cross River State, petrol prices surged by more than 100% within hours of the strike taking effect.
Commuters in the metropolis complained of transport fares rising by at least 10%, while motorists queued in vain at locked petrol stations along major locations such as Efio-Ete Junction, MCC, Parliamentary Road, and Murtala Muhammed Highway.
A BusinessDay report confirmed that private and commercial vehicle operators were stranded, with black market prices worsening the situation.
NUPENG shuts filling stations nationwide
On Monday, September 8, 2025, NUPENG officially commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down petrol loading nationwide.
In Delta State, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), working with NUPENG, ordered the closure of filling stations, warning operators of a N1 million fine if they defied the directive.
In Lagos, trucks were blocked from accessing the Dangote Refinery, Rainoil, and Integrated depots, effectively halting loading activities.
Depot operations grounded
The impact has rippled across multiple states:
Warri: Tanker drivers under the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch barred trucks from entering depots.
Calabar: Operations at Matrix and First Fortune depots stopped, leaving marketers stranded.
Port Harcourt: Soroman and Evergreen depots were sealed, with trucks turned back at entry points.
Onitsha and Enugu: Reports suggest that filling stations are gradually running dry as supply lines weaken.
At Master’s Energy and TSL depots, tanker drivers manned the gates, denying entry and ensuring compliance with the strike order.
NUPENG’s dispute with Dangote Refinery
The industrial action stems from NUPENG’s protest against what it describes as “anti-union labour practices” by the Dangote Refinery.
The dispute is linked to Dangote’s plan, first announced on June 14, 2025, to import 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for nationwide fuel distribution.
Source: UGC
While the move was initially praised as an innovation in clean energy and logistics efficiency, NUPENG and its affiliates, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), have raised concerns over potential job losses, unfair labour practices, and the sidelining of union members in the distribution chain.
NUPENG’s national president, Prince Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, said in a statement that the strike would continue until their demands were addressed.
Nationwide impact looms
The strike has already caused widespread disruption, and analysts warn that if it continues, Nigeria could face severe economic setbacks.
Transport costs are rising, inflationary pressures are mounting, and black-market fuel trade is picking up pace.
In the short term, fuel scarcity may worsen unless urgent negotiations are reached between the federal government, Dangote Refinery, and NUPENG leadership.
For ordinary Nigerians, the concern is immediate: soaring petrol prices, longer queues, and higher transport fares that threaten daily livelihoods.
The way forward
The standoff between NUPENG and the Dangote Refinery has plunged Nigeria’s downstream oil sector into fresh turmoil.
With petrol prices climbing to N1,700 per litre and depots nationwide shut down, millions of Nigerians are bracing for tougher days ahead.
Until a compromise is reached, the strike will continue to bite, testing the resilience of households, businesses, and the nation’s economy.
Dangote Refinery raises petrol price to N840
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Dangote Refinery has increased its ex-depot price for petrol from N825 to N840 per litre.
This is according to data from PetroleumPriceNG, which also showed other depot operators increasing their prices.
Coming amid the rumoured shutdown of Dangote Refinery’s petrol production unit, the spike has triggered a surge in depot prices.
Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
