By Barth Ikiebe in Abuja.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its members will embark on a nationwide strike starting Monday, September 8, 2025, over alleged anti-union labour practices linked to the deployment of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by Dangote Refinery.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union said the development violates workers’ rights and undermines existing trade unions in the oil and gas sector.
NUPENG recalled that on June 14, 2025, Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced plans to import 4,000 CNG trucks—later raised to 10,000—for nationwide distribution of petroleum and diesel products. While initially seen as a welcome investment, the move sparked concerns from stakeholders, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
A meeting held on June 23, 2025, between NUPENG, NARTO, and Dangote’s representative, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, reportedly revealed that the trucks would operate under a new arrangement that excluded existing unions.
The union further alleged that recruitment of drivers for the trucks began on August 29, 2025, with applicants required to sign undertakings not to join unions in the oil and gas industry.
“The recruitment being carried out on the condition of not joining existing unions is a matter of serious concern to us,” NUPENG said. “This violates Nigeria’s Constitution, labour laws, and international conventions on freedom of association.”
The union cited Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, which prohibits penalising workers over union membership, and Nigeria’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 87, which is binding under Section 254C(2) of the Constitution.
NUPENG also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to exercise its powers under Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to prevent restrictive practices in the petroleum sector.
Having failed to secure a resolution after several engagements with government agencies and stakeholders, NUPENG said it had no choice but to proceed with the strike.
“The strike is not to create hardship but to protect workers’ rights and ensure a fair and competitive downstream petroleum industry,” the statement read.
The union appealed for public understanding and called on other labour groups, 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 dispute persisted.
