NUPENG Insists On Strike Despite Government Intervention

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers said on Sunday that its nationwide strike will begin today Monday September 8 2025 despite efforts by the Federal Government to halt it

NUPENG President Williams Akporeha confirmed that the government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company reached out to the union but said the action will proceed pending the outcome of a meeting in Abuja today

The union had announced on Friday that it would stop fuel loading nationwide over the Dangote Petroleum Refinery plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks for direct distribution to retailers. NUPENG alleges the refinery is barring newly recruited drivers from joining any union which it says violates the Constitution and international labour conventions

NUPENG said it held several meetings with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners to persuade the refinery to change course without success. It also cited the recruitment of drivers by MRS and the use of undertakings that prevent union membership

Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi appealed to NUPENG to suspend the strike and said all parties have been invited to a conciliation meeting in Abuja. He warned that shutting down the petroleum sector would cause widespread hardship and heavy revenue losses and pledged a resolution acceptable to labour and the refinery

Marketers under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria signalled support for NUPENG. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry said stations would close if tanker drivers down tools and announced a three day suspension of lifting and dispensing from Tuesday September 9 as an advocacy for fair competition. He directed station owners not to penalise pump attendants who are absent during the strike

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN backed NUPENG and said the Dangote policy offends Section 40 of the Constitution the Trade Union Act and ILO Conventions 87 and 98. He urged the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to act

The Economic Rights Activists urged NUPENG and allies to suspend the strike and return to talks. ERA said ordinary citizens would bear the brunt and warned that past oil sector stoppages deepened economic strain. The group asked the Presidency the Labour Ministry and regulators to ensure transparent dialogue and called on the National Assembly to probe alleged sabotage by interests that profit from fuel import dependence

The outcome of today’s meeting will determine if operations resume or remain suspended.