The National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers of Nigeria (NUEOTDN) has suspended its planned nationwide strike that was scheduled to commence on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The suspension follows interventions by President Bola Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS), which opened fresh talks with stakeholders in the edible oil sector.
Union Suspends Strike After Government Intervention
NUEOTDN President Ilias Aperun announced the suspension in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, a day before the industrial action was due to begin. The union directed its members and relevant stakeholders to halt all strike preparations and resume normal operations while government-facilitated discussions continue.
Aperun said the decision was made to maintain the edible oil supply chain and avoid disruptions to businesses and consumers. He noted that negotiations involving the parties concerned were already underway, and the union was willing to work towards a resolution that protects the interests of its members without affecting the availability of edible oil across the country.
Union Calls for Calm and Continued Dialogue
The NUEOTDN president urged stakeholders in the sector to support the negotiation process, stressing that continued dialogue was necessary to address the issues that led to the planned industrial action. He also appealed to members to remain calm and await further developments from the negotiations.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the union thanked the Federal Government for its intervention and said it would continue to monitor the discussions. Aperun said further information would be communicated to members as negotiations progress.
The planned strike, if it had gone ahead, could have affected the transportation and distribution of edible oil across Nigeria. The suspension ensures that supply chains remain uninterrupted while talks continue.
Context: Fuel Import Approvals
In a related development, six Nigerian oil marketers received regulatory clearance to import a combined 830,000 metric tonnes of petrol in the fourth quarter of 2026, as domestic refineries expand their share of the country's fuel supply. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) issued the approvals on September 18, 2026, to Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil, and Bono Energy.
These companies have received import approvals at several points during the year, with their combined allocation standing at 180,000 metric tonnes in the first quarter and rising to 720,000 tonnes in the second quarter. The latest fourth-quarter approval brings the total authorised volume for these companies to a significant level, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilise the country's fuel supply.
