Tankers strike: FG invites NUPENG-Dangote for a meeting
- The Federal Government has appealed to NUPENG to suspend its planned nationwide strike over Dangote Refinery’s alleged anti-union policy, urging dialogue instead.
- Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi warned that even a one-day strike in the petroleum sector could cost billions of naira
- NUPENG accuses Dangote Refinery of violating workers’ rights by barring drivers of 10,000 imported CNG trucks
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to reconsider their stance on commencing a nationwide industrial action from Monday, September 8, 2025.
The strike is over their dispute with the Dangote Group, bordering on the company’s policy against unionisation by its employees.
Source: Getty Images
Muhammad Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, who made the appeal on Sunday, September 7.
He also pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with the petroleum workers.
Dingyadi in a bid to intervene in the dispute invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting scheduled to hold on Monday, September 8, 2025.
He said that a strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. He said that it will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
Dingyadi in statement signed by Patience Onuobia, head, information and public relations of the ministry said:
“I have invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting tomorrow, Monday, September 8, 2025. Since I have intervened, I plead with NUPENG to rescind their decision to shut down the petroleum sector from tomorrow. I also appeal to the NLC to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with NUPENG.
“The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.”
Source: UGC
The Minister also assures Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector.
NUPENG had accused the management of Dangote Refinery of alleged anti- labour practices, which it said is inimical to the survival and means of livelihoods of its members under its petroleum and tanker drivers branch.
In a statement it issued on Friday, it expressed reservations about the position of Chairman of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote that drivers recruited for operations of its 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas ( CNG) trucks imported into the country would not be allowed to join any trade union.
The Union described the position taken by the management of Dangote Refinery as an affront on the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Source: Legit.ng
