FG Urges NUPENG to Halt Planned Strike, Convenes Emergency Meeting Monday
The Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike set to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.
The strike threat stems from allegations that the Dangote Group is preventing its employees—specifically compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers—from joining relevant industry unions.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, issued the appeal in a statement released by the ministry’s Head of Information, Patience Onuobia. He also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its “red alert” issued to affiliate unions, urging them to prepare for a general strike in solidarity with NUPENG.
Dingyadi emphasized that with the ministry actively mediating in the dispute, industrial action would be premature and detrimental to the nation’s economy.
“I have invited all the parties to a conciliation meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, September 8,” the minister said. “Given this intervention, I appeal to NUPENG to reconsider its decision to shut down the petroleum sector.”
He warned that a strike, even of short duration, would significantly impact the nation’s economy.
“The petroleum sector is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. A disruption—even for a day—will cause severe revenue losses and widespread hardship for citizens,” Dingyadi said.
The minister assured the public that the government is committed to resolving the dispute amicably and urged all stakeholders to allow dialogue to prevail.
Despite the government’s appeal, NUPENG on Sunday reiterated its intention to proceed with the industrial action. The union had earlier announced that its members would withdraw their services and seek alternative employment from September 8, citing the Dangote Refinery’s alleged refusal to permit its CNG drivers to unionise.
However, not all transport unions are aligned with NUPENG’s stance. Both the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) have distanced themselves from the planned action.
In a related development, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has thrown his weight behind NUPENG’s position. He described the Dangote Group’s alleged anti-union stance as a violation of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 12 of the Trade Union Act, and Article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
Falana further noted that the policy contravenes several international conventions ratified by Nigeria, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other key international treaties on labour and human rights.
As tensions mount, all eyes are on Monday’s scheduled conciliation meeting, with hopes that a resolution can be reached to prevent disruptions in the petroleum sector.