A litre of petrol is selling for as high as N1,700 as fuel scarcity has hit residents of Benue state following the petrol tankers’ protest over unfulfilled compensation

Several filling stations are closed, and black market operators have taken advantage of the situation to hike prices

The sudden shutdown has sent petrol prices skyrocketing to hit new levels as black market operators have taken advantage of the situation.

The state governor has pleaded with the petrol tankers to suspend their strike and return to work.

Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is currently on a 3-day warning strike in Benue state.

In solidarity, petrol station owners in the state shut their doors.

The sudden shutdown has sent petrol prices skyrocketing to hit new levels as black market operators have taken advantage of the situation.

Vanguard reports that desperate motorists and commercial motorcycle operators who have been left stranded are resorting to black market operators who are selling petrol for as high as N1,700 perlitre.

Prices vary depending on the location within the town, with some areas seeing prices at N1,600.

The price is a massive N775 difference when compared to N945 it was sold before the showdown.

According to a member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Benue State, who was quoted in the report said the strike action was taken following unresolved grievances.

“A few years ago, youths attacked a etrol-laden truck on the Makurdi-Aliade road and siphoned its contents. Promises of ompensation by the former administration were never fulfilled.”

He added that efforts by NUPENG and IPMAN to engage the current administration for redress reportedly met with resistance, prompting the decision for a warning strike.

All fuel station managers were instructed to cease operations during this period. “Heavy penalties of up to N500,000 were threatened for non-compliance, leaving no stations perational.”

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has urged NUPENG to call off the strike, noting that the strike was uncalled for.

Deborah Aber, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated that the government received a letter from NUPENG requesting payment of over N40 million as compensation for the vandalised PMS tank in 2022.

“In the letter, they were asking for payment for their 45,000 litres of PMS they lost through the activities of vandals in 2022 at Aliade.

“We needed to sit down and look at the whole scenario and how it played out. To us, it seemed like a straightforward case of theft and vandalism, with no government involvement.

“We have held several meetings with them. Surprisingly, we woke up today to find that the stations were locked. The government too is surprised because we are still. t the discussion at table.

“When we received the letter, we wrote to the police and DSS to furnish us with what happened that time.

In the letter they were claiming payment of over N40m for the loss of their goods in 2022.”

NNPC increase petrol prices
The new price follows changes announced by petrol importers and the Dangote Refinery amid the global oil price increase

NNPC Limited retail outlets are now selling nigher rate than the rate offered by Dangote refinery partners.

Spiritual leader and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has sounded an alarm over impending challenges for a top executive at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), warning that powerful cabals are working behind the scenes to frustrate and destabilize him.

In a recent video prophetic message from 00:02:07, Ayodele revealed that the General Managing Director (GMG) of NNPC is facing spiritual and political sabotage that could lead to serious complications in the months ahead.

“NNPC GMG—the problem has just started,” the cleric declared. “They want to frustrate him. Frustrate him. Because there are cabals that have tied his life.”

Ayodele explained that these internal forces are not just opposing the GMG’s reforms or leadership style, but are spiritually plotting to discredit and dismantle his influence. According to the prophet, these groups are determined to undermine the GMG’s success and force him into conflict and confusion within the organization.

“If he’s not careful, they will create commotion for him,” Ayodele warned. “They are not just fighting his position; they are fighting his peace and his purpose.”

The renowned prophet called on the GMG to be prayerful and spiritually alert, urging him not to rely solely on political loyalty or official power to withstand the coming storm. He emphasized that the battle was more spiritual than administrative.

“This is a time to seek divine protection and guidance,” Ayodele advised. “Those around him are not all loyal. Some are pretending while planning his fall.”

Ayodele’s message adds to growing concerns about internal politics and power struggles within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially as the government pushes for reforms, transparency, and accountability at the NNPC.

Though the cleric did not mention a specific name, his warning has sparked speculation about tensions within the corporation and what steps leadership must take to avoid disruption.

Dangote has stepped down as chairman of Dangote Sugar PLC and Dangote Cement PLC to focus on his $20 billion refinery and petrochemical project

The refinery, which is Africa’s largest, aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel despite facing several industry challenges.

Stakeholders have praised Dangote’s move to exit the companies as a sign of strong succession planning and good corporate governance

Nigerians have shared mixed reactions to Aliko Dangote’s decision to step down from leadership roles in two of his companies.

The President of Dangote Industries Limited and Africa’s wealthiest man recently resigned as chairman of both Dangote Sugar PLC and Dangote Cement PLC, creating space for new leadership in these major subsidiaries.

These resignations occurred within a two-month period, marking a significant shift in Dangote’s direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of the publicly listed firms.

In June 2025, Dangote Sugar PLC announced that Dangote had stepped down after two decades at the helm. His resignation officially took effect on June 16, 2025.

Following a comprehensive selection process, the board appointed Arnold Ekpe, a veteran in the banking sector, as the new Chairman.

Not long after leaving the sugar company, Dangote also relinquished his position at Dangote Cement PLC. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, who previously served as an independent non-executive director, was named as his successor.

Dangote’s decision to retire from Dangote Sugar and Dangote Cement is mainly driven by the need to focus on the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals project.

This massive facility, located in the Lekki Free Zone in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, can process up to 650,000 barrels of oil per day. It is considered the largest refinery in Africa and the biggest single-train refinery in the world.

When production began in January 2024, it marked a major turning point for Nigeria and Africa in reducing dependence on imported fuel.

Despite having four government-owned refineries, Nigeria has relied heavily on fuel imports for years, spending huge amounts of money without getting any output from those refineries.

In an interview with Forbes, Dangote described the refinery as the biggest risk of his life.

He has faced many obstacles, including clashes with powerful figures in the oil industry, often referred to as a “cabal.”

One of the early challenges was a dispute with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) who questioned the quality of his petrol.

Perhaps the most challenging for the refinery was with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the supply of crude oil.

However, relations have improved under the current NNPCL leadership, which Dangote recently praised for supporting the refinery’s progress.

What people are saying

In an interview with Daily Trust, Adebayo Adeleke, former General Secretary of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), said that Aliko Dangote’s decision to step down from two of his companies makes sense.

He said: “The implication to me is rather positive. It is good one that now in the life of the entrepreneur and the core investor, a very dominant core investor, his stepping aside is a sure sign of succession planning and is also a positive one for corporate governance.”

Adeleke said that as a business expands, the founder should focus on key areas and ensure effective leadership succession is in place.

Also sharing his thoughts, Mr. Boniface Okezie praised Dangote’s achievements in the cement and sugar sectors, especially his efforts to make the companies more self-sufficient.

He said: “For me the refinery is a bigger project for him than Sugar and Cement combined. Also the refinery is also more complex. He had been in cement for decades and in line with the corporate governance principle, he has got people to run the companies for him and that does not take him away from those companies.”

Even though Dangote is stepping back, Okezie said he is still the owner and visionary behind the companies, and the people managing them are working under his direction.

Speaking with Legit. Dr. Ifeoma Uzor, a corporate governance analyst, said that Dangote’s exit from his sugar and cement boards signals a mature shift toward strategic leadership.

She said: “It reflects strong succession planning and enhances investor confidence. Focusing on the refinery, a high-risk, high-impact project, demonstrates vision. This move shows that sustainable businesses outlast individual founders, and it’s a positive development for long-term corporate stability in Nigeria.”

Also reacting to the trending topic, Tunde Olukoyede, a social critic, said that Dangote’s full commitment to the refinery project is a game-changer.

He said: “His resignation frees him to tackle the enormous operational and political complexities of running Africa’s largest refining facility. It’s a calculated decision that could shift Nigeria from fuel dependency to self-sufficiency. While cement and sugar are stable, the refinery needs his full attention to succeed.”