Dangote vs NUPENG: Union Insists on Strike Despite FG Intervention

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Sunday reaffirmed its decision to embark on strike today (Monday), despite last-minute efforts by the Federal Government to avert the action.

NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, had invited the union to a conciliation meeting in Abuja. However, he stressed that the planned strike would commence as scheduled, pending the outcome of the talks.

“The Federal Government and the NNPC are reaching out, but there is nothing concrete yet. The strike starts tomorrow morning as planned,” Akporeha told The PUNCH.

The union had announced on Friday that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch would withdraw services nationwide from September 8, a move expected to disrupt fuel supply across the country.

Dispute with Dangote Refinery

At the heart of the crisis is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct distribution of fuel to retailers. NUPENG alleged that drivers recruited for the new fleet were being barred from joining unions — a policy it described as anti-labour, unconstitutional, and a violation of international conventions on workers’ rights.

According to the union, attempts to engage Dangote Refinery and its affiliates, including MRS Oil (owned by Dangote’s cousin, Sayyu Dantata), were ignored. It claimed that drivers were compelled to sign undertakings not to join NUPENG or any other oil workers’ union, an arrangement the group likened to “modern slavery.”

“Slavery ended centuries ago. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave,” the union declared in a statement.

Government’s Plea for Peace

In a statement on Sunday, Labour Minister Dingyadi appealed to NUPENG to shelve the action, warning that a strike in the petroleum sector could cost the economy billions of naira daily and unleash hardship on Nigerians.

“The petroleum sector is the backbone of our economy. Even a day of strike will inflict untold suffering on citizens,” he cautioned, while assuring that the government would seek a “fair and amicable” resolution.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), however, has already placed its affiliates on “red alert” in solidarity with NUPENG, heightening fears of a wider industrial showdown.

Marketers Brace for Impact

Petroleum marketers have also signaled readiness to shut down operations in solidarity. The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, said filling stations nationwide would close if tanker drivers withdrew their services.

“Our staff include NUPENG members. Once they join the strike, our stations will be vulnerable. We cannot open for business in such conditions,” he explained.

PETROAN announced a three-day suspension of product lifting and dispensing starting Tuesday, September 9, stressing its opposition to monopolistic practices in the downstream sector.

Falana and Civil Groups Weigh In

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), threw his weight behind NUPENG, insisting that Dangote’s anti-unionisation policy violates Nigeria’s Constitution, Trade Union Act, and international labour conventions.

“The Registrar of Trade Unions must call the Dangote Group to order. Workers’ rights to unionise were won under colonial rule; they cannot be taken away now,” Falana stated.

However, the Economic Rights Activists (ERA) condemned the planned strike as “reckless and unpatriotic.” Speaking in Abuja, ERA’s Executive Director, Dr. Josiah Inuwa, argued that the industrial action would hurt ordinary Nigerians more than corporate entities.

“Transport fares will skyrocket, food prices will soar, hospitals will lose power, and small businesses will collapse. This is not justice — it is an assault on the people,” he warned, accusing unions of playing into the hands of fuel import cartels opposed to the Dangote Refinery.

Uncertain Hours Ahead

With the strike already declared, and government intervention yet to yield concrete results, the nation faces the prospect of fuel scarcity and economic disruptions.

All eyes will be on today’s Abuja meeting, where NUPENG, Dangote Refinery, and government officials are expected to sit at the negotiation table in a last-ditch effort to resolve the crisis.