The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has decided to initiate a nationwide strike starting today, September 8, 2025.
This action is in response to the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s alleged refusal to allow new drivers hired for imported CNG trucks to join any union.
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha highlighted that Dangote’s stance undermines the freedom of association guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and violates international labour conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He reported that NUPENG had conducted several meetings, along with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, in an effort to persuade Dangote to reconsider its position. However, those appeals were reportedly ignored.
The situation escalated when MRS Oil, owned by Dangote’s cousin Sayyu Dantata, began recruiting drivers for the CNG trucks and required them to sign agreements prohibiting union membership.
Consequently, NUPENG announced that its members would cease fuel loading nationwide starting today if the situation remains unresolved, asserting that the union cannot stand by while jobs are threatened.
In response, the federal government quickly intervened to prevent the strike, as it could lead to fuel shortages.
As of now, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi is meeting with the leadership of NUPENG and Dangote in an attempt to resolve the issues at hand.
“Since I have intervened, I urge NUPENG to reconsider their decision to shut down the petroleum sector today.
I also appeal to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to lift the red alert issued to its affiliate unions in preparation for a nationwide strike,” Dingyadi stated.
The minister cautioned that industrial action in the petroleum sector would cause widespread hardship across the nation and result in significant losses in government revenue.
Stakeholders are awaiting the outcome of the meeting.