Nation on Edge: Fuel Scarcity Looms as Oil Marketers Issue 7-Day Strike Ultimatum

Nigeria may soon face another crippling fuel scarcity as major oil marketers have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government over unpaid bridging claims and rising operational costs. The threat of a nationwide petrol supply disruption has already sparked panic buying in several cities, with long queues forming at filling stations from Lagos to Abuja.

According to inside sources, the ultimatum was issued late Sunday night following a closed-door meeting between top executives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and representatives of major oil depots across the country.

At the heart of the looming crisis is the government’s failure to settle outstanding bridging claims a subsidy mechanism that allows marketers to transport fuel from depots to remote areas. Many marketers say the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has delayed payments for over nine months, placing massive financial strain on private distributors.

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“We are running at a loss,” said Engr. Musa Lawal, a depot operator in Ilorin. “We can’t keep selling below cost while the government delays payment. If nothing changes in seven days, we will shut down distribution completely.”

By early Monday morning, filling stations in parts of Benin City, Ibadan, and Kano had begun rationing supply, with several outlets shutting their pumps entirely. In Lagos, fuel queues reappeared in key areas like Ojota, Iyana Ipaja, and Ikorodu, sparking frustration among motorists and commercial drivers.

Commuters in urban centers are already experiencing fare hikes, with many transport workers blaming the sudden rise in cost on depot hoarding and delivery delays.

Despite rising tension, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has yet to release an official statement. However, a source within the NMDPRA confirmed that meetings are scheduled this week in Abuja to resolve the outstanding subsidy payments and avoid further escalation.

“This is a sensitive matter, but we are engaging all stakeholders. A nationwide shutdown is not in anyone’s interest,” the source told Dobblog under condition of anonymity.

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The threat of a fresh fuel crisis couldn’t come at a worse time. Nigeria is already battling a fragile economy, high inflation, and widespread unemployment. Any prolonged disruption in petrol supply will likely affect food prices, transport costs, and business operations nationwide.

Economist Ngozi Alade, from the Centre for Economic Reform, warns that “If this strike goes ahead, it could trigger a chain reaction across supply chains, further weakening the naira and raising inflation levels.”

As Nigerians brace for another wave of scarcity, the memory of past fuel crises still lingers. In March 2023, a similar protest by marketers led to two weeks of nationwide shortages, with black-market prices surging above ₦800 per liter in some states.

For now, all eyes are on the government. Will they meet the marketers’ demands, or will Nigeria once again be plunged into fuel chaos?