The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has vowed to proceed with its planned strike beginning today, Monday, despite last-minute intervention efforts by the Federal Government.
NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed on Sunday that the government had reached out in a bid to halt the industrial action, but insisted the strike would commence pending the outcome of a crucial meeting with the Labour Ministry in Abuja.
The union had last week announced that it would shut down fuel loading nationwide from September 8, 2025, a move that could trigger widespread fuel scarcity. The dispute stems from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution to retailers, bypassing existing tanker drivers.
According to NUPENG, the refinery has barred the new truck drivers from joining any union, a policy the union described as a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international labour conventions. The union also accused Dangote’s allied company, MRS, of compelling newly recruited drivers to sign undertakings not to belong to any oil and gas union.
In a joint statement signed by Akporeha and the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG said it would not stand by while the jobs and rights of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch were undermined.
Several attempts at dialogue with Dangote, including meetings with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, reportedly failed to yield results.
In response, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, announced on Sunday that he had summoned all stakeholders for an emergency conciliation meeting. He appealed to NUPENG to suspend its planned shutdown and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its “red alert” issued in solidarity with the oil workers.
“The petroleum sector is vital to Nigeria’s economy. A strike, even for a single day, could cause revenue losses running into billions and impose severe hardship on citizens,” Dingyadi warned.
He assured that government would work towards an amicable resolution, saying, “The matter will be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved.”
The coming hours will be crucial as Nigerians await the outcome of today’s meeting, which could determine whether fuel supply remains stable or plunges into another nationwide crisis.
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