Nigeria may soon experience a severe fuel shortage as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day warning to the government.

The group threatens to stop supplying fuel nationwide if the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) does not clear its N100 billion debt.

At a press conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, expressed frustration over the delayed payment.

He explained that the government had promised to settle the debt within 40 days, but months have passed without any action.

The unpaid funds are meant to cover “bridging claims,” which help fuel marketers cover transportation costs. Due to this issue, several depots in Northern Nigeria—including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri—have stopped operations.

Alhasan warned that if the government fails to act within the given timeframe, IPMAN members will withdraw their services. This could lead to widespread fuel shortages across the country.

He also criticized the NMDPRA for imposing a 5% levy on petrol marketers, describing it as unnecessary and burdensome. According to him, these levies make it even harder for marketers to run their businesses.

Many members have already shut down operations, lost employees, or had their businesses taken over by banks due to financial struggles.

IPMAN is urging the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to step in and resolve the issue. The group has also reached out to other industry stakeholders, such as the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), to consider joint action.

If the government does not meet their demands, IPMAN has vowed to halt fuel distribution from Monday, February 24, 2025. This could trigger a nationwide fuel crisis, affecting businesses and daily life.

For now, Nigerians are waiting to see whether the government will act swiftly to prevent a major fuel shortage.