By our reporter
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to mobilise workers across the country in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has announced a nationwide strike starting Monday, September 8, 2025.
The strike action comes amid serious allegations against the Dangote Group over its labour practices, particularly regarding the recruitment of drivers for compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks at the company’s refinery. NUPENG has accused the Dangote Group of forcing drivers to sign agreements that prevent them from joining trade unions—an act the union describes as a violation of constitutional rights and international labour conventions.
NUPENG claims the Dangote Refinery is planning to import between 4,000 and 10,000 CNG-powered trucks for fuel distribution while denying the drivers their right to unionise. The union has described this as a clear case of union suppression and corporate bullying.
Reacting to the situation, the NLC expressed strong support for NUPENG and has placed all its branches and affiliated unions on alert for possible nationwide action. NLC President Joe Ajaero criticised the Dangote Group for what he described as consistent anti-worker behaviour, including poor wages, refusal to recognise workers’ rights to form unions, and the prioritisation of foreign labour over local workers.
He also accused the group of exploiting its market dominance to silence dissent and suppress fair labour practices.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), especially its Western Zone, has announced plans to shut down operations in solidarity with NUPENG. The association expressed concern that the Dangote Group’s approach could lead to widespread job losses and undermine labour provisions contained in the Petroleum Industry Act.
However, not all stakeholders are aligned with the strike. The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm of NUPENG, along with the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association, have publicly rejected the strike action. They accused the union leadership of acting without full consultation and warned that the strike could destabilise fuel distribution nationwide.
With multiple stakeholders either backing or opposing the strike, concerns are growing over the potential economic fallout. Disruptions in fuel supply, long queues at petrol stations, and increased transport costs are expected if the strike goes ahead as planned.
Labour groups have called on the Federal Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene and compel the Dangote Group to respect labour laws. They warned that the situation could escalate if no meaningful dialogue is initiated.
As of now, the Dangote Group has not issued an official response to the allegations. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether industrial action will proceed or if negotiations can bring all parties to the table.
