Dangote Refinery Crisis Deepens as NUPENG Strike Shuts Depots Nationwide.

• Dangote Refinery faces NUPENG strike as fuel loading halts nationwide. Unions demand unionisation, raising fear of fuel scarcity.

Talks between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) stretched late into Monday night despite mediation efforts by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The meeting, which began hours behind schedule, sought to resolve a dispute over alleged attempts by the refinery to prevent workers from joining unions.

Fuel loading across depots nationwide was paralysed on Monday as NUPENG enforced a total shutdown. Tanker drivers parked trucks in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Sokoto and other parts of the country while filling stations were locked. Union officials confirmed full compliance with the strike order despite government appeals to shelve the action. The shutdown has sparked fears of fuel scarcity if it persists.

The meeting in Abuja was attended by NUPENG executives, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and executives from Dangote Group, MRS Petroleum and other stakeholders. Resolutions of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding were read but disagreements from Dangote representatives stalled the signing. As of late Monday night, negotiations were still ongoing.

NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of planning to stop 4,000 tanker drivers from unionising. Its sister union, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), declared solidarity and threatened to shut down operations if the matter is unresolved. PENGASSAN alleged the refinery has consistently resisted unionisation despite interventions. The group said the right to organise is a fundamental labour right protected under Nigerian law and international conventions.

The crisis has attracted support from other associations including the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners. Their leaders warned of further withdrawal of services nationwide starting Tuesday if the impasse continues.

Stakeholders have urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately to avert prolonged disruption. Industry observers warn that continued shutdown of depots could trigger fuel scarcity, higher transport fares and broader economic strain.