The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared that its members will embark on a nationwide strike starting Monday, September 8, 2025, over what it described as anti-union labour practices tied to the use of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by Dangote Refinery
The announcement was contained in a statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale.
According to the union, Aliko Dangote had on June 14, 2025, unveiled plans to import 4,000 CNG trucks—later increased to 10,000—for the distribution of petroleum and diesel products. While the move was initially welcomed as a major investment in the downstream sector, stakeholders, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), raised concerns about its broader implications.
To address these issues, NUPENG and NARTO met with Dangote’s representative, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, on June 23, 2025. At that meeting, the union said it was informed that the trucks would be operated under a new system that excluded existing trade unions.
The union further alleged that recruitment for drivers began on August 29, 2025, with applicants reportedly required to sign undertakings not to join oil and gas unions. It described the condition as a direct violation of workers’ rights.
“The recruitment being carried out on the condition of not joining existing unions is a matter of serious concern to us. This requirement does not align with Nigeria’s Constitution, labour legislation, or international conventions on freedom of association,” the statement read.
NUPENG cited Section 40 of the Constitution, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, and Nigeria’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 87 on freedom of association as protections for workers’ rights. It also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to enforce Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to prevent restrictive practices in the sector.
The union said that despite attempts to engage government agencies and the companies involved, no meaningful resolution had been reached.
“Having exhausted all available avenues of dialogue, we are left with no option but to embark on a nationwide industrial action beginning Monday, September 8, 2025,” NUPENG declared.
It stressed that the strike was not aimed at punishing Nigerians but at defending labour rights and ensuring fairness in the downstream petroleum industry.
NUPENG appealed for public understanding and called on other labour bodies, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to stand in solidarity.
It also revealed that members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch had been advised to seek alternative employment or skills training if the situation remained unresolved.
The union urged the Federal Government to intervene to enforce compliance with labour laws. As of the time of filing this report, Dangote Group had yet to respond to the allegations.
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