On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) gave an update on their planned nationwide shutdown, confirming that their members will not go ahead with the strike for now.
This decision comes after IPMAN said it is in talks with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to resolve the issue of unpaid bridging claims, which have now reached N100 billion.
In a statement, IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike reassured members that both NMDPRA and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources are committed to resolving the situation quickly.
Ukadike said, “I have been directed to address the concerns regarding the outstanding bridging claims backlog that many of our members are currently experiencing. Please be assured that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of IPMAN, led by Alhaji Abubakar Shettima Maigandi, is actively engaged in resolving these issues as swiftly as possible.”
He added, “We have been in communication with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. They have expressed their commitment to addressing these pending claims and other issues. They equally assured us that payment will take place within a short period.”
Earlier this week, IPMAN had issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning of a nationwide shutdown if the N100 billion bridging claim was not paid. However, with the new updates, the planned shutdown has been put on hold for now.
