(8 September 2025)
Government calls off showdown with conciliation talk as union maintains no retreat over anti-labour policy by Dangote refinery.
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has confirmed that its members will go on strike today, Monday, 8 September 2025, despite Federal Government efforts to avert the shutdown. The walkout was triggered by Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s controversial plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas–powered (CNG) tanker trucks and hire drivers who will be barred from joining any union — a move deemed anti-labour and unconstitutional by the union.
Key Highlights:
Firm Resolve from NUPENG:
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha insisted that, although the Federal Government and the NNPC reached out to defuse tensions, nothing concrete had emerged to halt the strike. He confirmed the action would proceed today, as initially planned.
Government Steps In:
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, summoned all parties — NUPENG, Dangote Refinery, and related stakeholders — for a conciliation meeting today in Abuja, appealing to NUPENG to suspend the strike and to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its “red alert” for solidarity action.
PETROAN Joins the Fray:
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) warned that filling stations may shut down if tanker drivers don’t report to work. They pledged to suspend fuel lifting and dispensing for three days from Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
Legal and Rights Backing:
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana publicly backed NUPENG, condemning Dangote’s policy as a violation of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act, and various international conventions safeguarding freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Economic Risks Loom:
The Minister of Labour underlined that even a one-day strike in the petroleum sector could inflict billions of naira in revenue losses and widespread hardship on Nigerians.
Commentary
“This face-off between NUPENG and Dangote is a ticking time bomb for Nigerians. While Dangote has the right to grow his refinery operations, no company should undermine workers’ constitutional right to unionise. The Federal Government must act decisively today — not just to avert the strike but to protect labour rights. If this crisis drags on, ordinary citizens will be the ones to suffer the hardship of fuel scarcity and inflation.”
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