Fuel Scarcity Threatens Delta State as IPMAN and NUPENG Launch Indefinite Strike

Late Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) convened an emergency meeting that culminated in a bold announcement: an indefinite strike across Delta State.

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Effective from 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, all filling stations under their purview will remain shut until further directives from national leadership. A stern warning accompanies the strike: any station found operating will be slapped with a ₦1 million fine.

Implications Across the Region

This action is not isolated. Due to often-shared solidarity among petroleum marketers across the South-South region, the shutdown risks cascading effects beyond Delta State, potentially disrupting fuel supply across neighboring states.

National Response & Healthcare Concerns

The Federal Government is already sounding alarm bells. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, warned that most hospitals heavily reliant on diesel and petrol-powered generators for backup power could face severe disruptions if fuel distribution stalls.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour has stepped in, urging NUPENG to reconsider the strike and embrace dialogue. The call also extends to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which had issued a “red alert” to its affiliates to support the petroleum workers.

Broader Dispute at Play

This strike stems from deeper tensions between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery. The union accuses Dangote of anti-union labor practices specifically, recruiting drivers for its new fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks with the stipulation that they do not join existing unions. NUPENG sees this as a violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Labour Act, and ILO conventions guaranteeing freedom of association.

In Summary

• Location: Delta State
• Parties Involved: IPMAN & NUPENG
• Action: Indefinite strike; all filling stations to close from 6 a.m. Monday
• Penalty for Non-compliance: ₦1 million fine per station
• Potential Effects: Fuel shortages across Delta and the South-South; disruptions to healthcare services reliant on generators
• Government Reaction: Calls for dialogue, national concern over healthcare impacts