Paragraph 1: The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) called off a two-day nationwide strike on Tuesday, September 5, 2025, following successful negotiations with the Federal Government and the Dangote Group. The strike, which caused fuel supply disruptions across the country, stemmed from a dispute over the unionization of workers at the newly commissioned Dangote Refinery. NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery’s management of anti-labour practices, specifically preventing its truck drivers from joining the union and allegedly planning to establish a separate, company-controlled association. This move was perceived as a threat to existing unions and potentially detrimental to workers’ rights.
Paragraph 2: The strike’s impact was felt nationwide, with many filling stations shutting down, leading to long queues, panic buying, and price hikes in several states. Commuters faced increased transportation costs and difficulties reaching their destinations. Cities like Calabar, Kaduna, and Enugu experienced significant disruptions, with filling stations closed and limited fuel availability. While some independent stations remained open, they often charged exorbitant prices, further burdening consumers. States like Anambra also saw long queues and inflated transport fares, reflecting the widespread effects of the strike. The disruption underscored the vital role NUPENG plays in the nation’s fuel supply chain.
Paragraph 3: The resolution came after a series of meetings mediated by the Minister of Labour and Employment. An initial meeting on Monday failed to produce an agreement, prompting a second meeting on Tuesday with broader stakeholder participation, including representatives from Dangote Group, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The resulting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulated that Dangote Refinery would allow its employees to unionize within a two-week timeframe, adhering to existing labor laws. The agreement ensured that no employee would face victimization for participating in the strike.
Paragraph 4: The crux of the dispute revolved around Dangote Refinery’s ambitious plan to commence direct fuel distribution using its fleet of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks. While this initiative promised greater efficiency in fuel distribution, NUPENG argued that it was being used as a pretext to sideline the union and undermine workers’ rights. The union’s president, Williams Akporeha, publicly accused Dangote Refinery of attempting to create a parallel drivers’ association to weaken NUPENG’s influence, a move deemed illegal under Nigerian labor law. He maintained that only recognized unions, such as NUPENG and PENGASSAN, had the legal standing to represent workers in the oil and gas sector.
Paragraph 5: The strike’s impact extended beyond fuel stations, affecting operations at petroleum depots across the country. NUPENG members enforced the strike by shutting down depots, effectively halting the movement of fuel tankers. Depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Delta State were among those affected, highlighting the union’s broad reach and ability to disrupt fuel distribution throughout Nigeria. The complete shutdown of loading activities at these key facilities underlined the seriousness of the dispute and the union’s commitment to securing its members’ rights. The swift resolution averted further disruptions and signaled a return to normal fuel distribution operations.
Paragraph 6: The successful resolution of the strike, achieved through dialogue and government intervention, underscores the importance of collective bargaining and adherence to labor laws in industrial relations. It also highlights the crucial role unions play in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair labor practices. The agreement between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery serves as a precedent for future engagements between organized labor and large corporations in Nigeria. This incident also brought into sharp focus the potential vulnerabilities within the nation’s fuel supply chain and the need for proactive measures to prevent future disruptions.
