By our Reporter
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that members will begin a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, over alleged anti-union practices linked to Dangote Refinery’s deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union recalled that Alhaji Aliko Dangote had announced plans to import 10,000 CNG trucks for petroleum distribution. NUPENG and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) later met with Dangote’s representative, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, where they were told the trucks would operate outside existing trade unions.
The union alleged that recruitment for drivers began on August 29, 2025, with applicants asked to sign undertakings not to join oil and gas unions.
“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.”
NUPENG cited Section 40 of the Constitution, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, and ILO Convention No. 87, stressing that the practice violates workers’ rights. It also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to “promote competition and prevent restrictive practices in the petroleum sector.”
“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.”
The union assured Nigerians the strike was not meant to cause hardship but to safeguard workers’ rights, and appealed for public understanding, while calling on the NLC and TUC to show solidarity. It further revealed that members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch had been advised to seek alternative employment or skills training if unresolved.
As of press time, the Dangote Group had not responded.
