The federal government has urged the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to call off its planned nationwide strike as a conciliation meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 8, to resolve a festering dispute with Dangote Refinery.
The labour minister, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, appealed to NUPENG to shelve its industrial action and called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” issued to affiliate unions.
He warned that even a one-day strike in the petroleum sector could inflict “billions of naira” in losses and trigger widespread hardship, assuring that government intervention is aimed at peacefully resolving the impasse.
NUPENG Maintains Strike Despite Government Appeal
Despite the government's pleas, NUPENG said on Sunday it will proceed with the strike scheduled to begin on Monday.
In a statement signed by its president, Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, the union accused Dangote Refinery of practicing what it called “modern slavery” by prohibiting newly recruited drivers from joining labour unions — a violation of workers’ constitutional right to freedom of association.
NUPENG condemned the move as an attempt to suppress union rights, urging Nigerians not to support exploitative labour conditions. The union also dismissed the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA)—seen as a Dangote-aligned group—as unauthorised and undermining legitimate union efforts.
Some Drivers Reject the Strike Notice
Complicating the labour unrest, both the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and DTCDA have rejected NUPENG’s directive to strike. PTD leaders in the Warri and Port Harcourt zones called the strike call “insensitive” and insisted union membership should remain voluntary.
They also backed Dangote’s CNG truck initiative as beneficial to the sector, and encouraged dialogue over disruption.
What's at Stake?
Monday’s conciliation meeting, brokered by the federal government, presents a critical moment in averting a potential fuel supply crisis. With tensions rising between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery, stakeholders are watching to see if intervention will de-escalate the situation or fuel further conflict.
