Filling Stations Close as NUPENG, FG, Dangote Talk Collapses

• Nigeria’s oil workers' strike by NUPENG is set to kick off fully on Tuesday, September 9, after talks with the Federal Government, NLC, and Dangote Group collapsed
• Negotiations broke down in Abuja when Dangote Group’s representative, Sayyu Dantata, reportedly walked out of the meeting
• Dangote insisted union membership must remain optional, while NLC and NUPENG demanded workers be allowed to unionise freely

Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of experience in business journalism, with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.

A nationwide strike by Nigeria’s oil workers union will now be in full swing on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

This is due to failed talks between the government, labour leaders, and the Dangote Group over the unionisation of workers at Africa’s largest refinery.

Already, some filling stations in Sokoto have been forced to shut down due to the unavailability of supplies.

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Tanker drivers' strike still on

BusinessDay reports that negotiations broke down in Abuja when Sayyu Dantata, representing the Dangote Group, walked out on Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and the labour delegation, sources at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Dangote team insisted that union membership at its refinery remain optional, while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) demanded that employees be allowed to freely unionise.

Labour Minister Dingyadi confirmed the deadlock but expressed hope that talks would resume on Tuesday and lead to a resolution, Vanguard reports.

He said:

“There are issues we have not been able to reach a final agreement on... I am confident that by tomorrow we should be able to resolve these issues.

"The NLC accused the Dangote representative of deliberately frustrating negotiations."

Benson Upah, acting secretary of the NLC remarked:

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“Even when we bent backwards to accommodate his uncompromising behaviour, he still walked out. We are left with no option but to do the needful. The strike action continues."

NUPENG president Williams Akporeha explained that the strike was in defence of Nigerian workers, accusing Dangote of seeking to “enslave” employees.

He added:

“We cannot stand by and see an investor monopolise not just the system but even the workers."

Fuel tanker drivers go on strike

The NLC last week issued a “Red Alert” accusing the Dangote Group of anti-union practices and monopolistic behaviour, warning that its policies violate the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act and International Labour Organisation conventions.

It demanded the immediate unionisation of Dangote Refinery and all subsidiaries, threatening broader solidarity actions if the company fails to comply.

The NLC said:

“If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will confront this tyranny head-on until victory is secured for Nigerian workers."

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Fuel scarcity looms in Nigeria as PETROAN plans strike over alleged Dangote monopoly

Depots adjust petrol prices

Legit.ng earlier reported that new ex-depot petrol prices surfaced at private depots across Nigeria, including Dangote Petroleum Refinery, amid union talks to avert a tanker drivers’ strike.

Data obtained on Monday showed Dangote refinery has increased its petrol price from N820 per litre to N840 per litre.

The price change was also observed at Wosbab, Heyden and Ardova, each posting depot prices of N850 per litre.

Source: Legit.ng