Filling stations across Ibadan were partly shuttered on Monday after unions in Nigeria’s oil distribution sector launched an indefinite strike, raising fears of fuel shortages in the coming days.
The industrial action was declared by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The groups are protesting moves by Dangote Refinery and MRS Energy to bypass independent marketers and sell petrol directly to consumers.
For now, government-owned NNPC outlets are still pumping fuel, cushioning immediate impact. But many commuters remain uneasy. “If this strike continues, it will make life unbearable for people like us,” said motorcyclist Gbenga Oworu, who depends on daily earnings.
Parents also voiced concern ahead of schools reopening. “If this problem is not resolved before next Monday, families will really struggle,” said shop owner and mother of three, Olubunmi Bamigbade.
Though business continued as usual in most neighbourhoods, residents worry that if talks between the parties fail, the standoff could deepen Nigeria’s recurring fuel supply woes.
