Nigeria faces the threat of crippling fuel shortages as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) begins its nationwide strike today, September 8, 2025, despite the Federal Government’s last-minute efforts to avert it.
NUPENG’s leadership accused Dangote Petroleum Refinery of introducing anti-union practices through the recruitment of drivers for 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, who are reportedly compelled to sign agreements forbidding union membership.
Union President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that while the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had engaged the union in dialogue, “nothing concrete” had emerged to halt the industrial action.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) declared solidarity with NUPENG, announcing a three-day suspension of product lifting from Tuesday, September 9. PETROAN warned that Dangote’s dominance could push small players out of business and cause mass unemployment.
Labour Minister, Muhammad Dingyadi, has urged the union to suspend its strike, stressing that the petroleum sector is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. He cautioned that a strike would trigger inflation, food scarcity, and widespread social unrest.
Legal heavyweight Femi Falana (SAN) joined calls for government intervention, asserting that Dangote’s policy violates the Constitution, Trade Union Act, and multiple ILO conventions.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has already issued a “red alert” to its affiliates to prepare for solidarity action if the crisis escalates.
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