By our reporter
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commenced a nationwide strike beginning Monday, September 8, 2025, in protest against what it described as persistent anti-union labour practices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The industrial action, which may disrupt fuel supply across the country, has drawn widespread attention from labour groups, industry players, and the federal government.
NUPENG has accused the Dangote Group of barring union membership among newly recruited drivers employed to operate its fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks. The union described this as a deliberate violation of workers’ rights to freedom of association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and various international conventions.
In a statement released over the weekend, the union cited Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects the right of individuals to freely associate with trade unions. It also referenced the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which Nigeria has ratified, to support its claim that workers are being unlawfully denied the right to unionise.
The union’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, condemned what he called a pattern of anti-labour practices at the Dangote Refinery and warned that the strike would continue until the issues were fully addressed. He maintained that no company, regardless of its size or national importance, should be allowed to undermine constitutionally protected labour rights.
The strike action has received the backing of other major labour and industry groups. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through several of its state councils, notably in Edo State, voiced its support for NUPENG and urged Nigerians to prepare for possible fuel scarcity. In a related move, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) announced its intention to suspend the sale of petroleum products nationwide starting Tuesday, September 9, in solidarity with NUPENG.
PETROAN also raised concerns about what it described as monopolistic practices by the Dangote Group. The association’s national president, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, stated that the refinery’s operations were becoming increasingly anti-competitive, with implications not only for labour rights but also for the overall structure of the downstream oil sector.
In response to the growing crisis, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened an emergency conciliation meeting on Monday involving representatives of NUPENG, the Dangote Group, and relevant government agencies. The talks are aimed at resolving the dispute and preventing further economic disruptions, though union leaders have said the strike will continue until concrete commitments are made.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations and economic advocacy groups have expressed concern about the timing and potential impact of the strike. The Economic Rights Activists (ERA) described the action as reckless and warned that a prolonged shutdown could worsen the already difficult economic conditions facing millions of Nigerians. Similarly, a coalition known as Mass Action Against Economic Saboteurs (MAAES) urged the union to reconsider its approach, calling the strike an act of economic sabotage.
The Dangote Group has not yet issued an official public response to the allegations. However, sources close to the company suggest that the management is reluctant to allow union involvement in what it considers a new, streamlined operational model for its CNG logistics division.
As fuel queues begin to appear in parts of Lagos, Abuja, and other urban centres, Nigerians are bracing for the possibility of widespread fuel shortages and increased transportation costs if the strike persists. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will likely determine the direction of the country’s industrial and energy landscape in the days ahead.
