FG summons emergency meeting to stop NUPENG planned strike as discordant positions: NLC support, PTD against trails arranged showdown

Nigeria’s government has waded into the face-off between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery, appealing to the union to suspend its planned nationwide strike planned to begin Monday, September 8, 2025.

Minister of labour and employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, on Sunday, confirmed that he has summoned all parties to a conciliation meeting on Monday in Abuja.

The move followed rising tensions over Dangote Group’s alleged policy against unionization of its workers.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s head of information and public relations, Patience Onuobia, Dingyadi urged NUPENG to withdraw its decision to shut down operations in the petroleum sector and appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” it issued to its affiliates in solidarity with the oil workers.

“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,” Dingyadi said.

Also Read: NUPENG threatens shutdown over Dangote’s ‘anti-union policy,’ Fuel scarcity imminent as face-off fester

The minister warned that industrial action in the petroleum sector would trigger widespread hardship across the country and inflict heavy losses on government revenue.

“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 impact. It will not only lead to revenue losses running into billions of naira but also cause untold hardship for Nigerians,” he cautioned.

He also called on all stakeholders to allow peace to prevail, assuring that government will broker a resolution acceptable to both labour and the private refinery.

“The matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” the Minister stated.

Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly intervene in the face-off between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group,

The congress specifically called on the President to call on the Dangote Group to comply with labour laws and international conventions.

NLC made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr Joe Ajaero, which was made available to newsmen Saturday in Abuja.

Ajaero called on the President to “immediately call Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata to order” and impress on them to respect the nation and international law

Ajaero added that the government must not look the other way while a few individuals privatise the nation’s energy future and enslave its workforce, stressing.

The NLC President accused Dangote Group of exploiting Nigerian workers while disregarding their constitutional rights to unionize and bargain collectively.

“The NLC unequivocally condemn the anti-union, anti-worker, and monopolistic practices of the Dangote Group and its affiliates.

“Nigerian workers are not slaves and cannot be serially abused without consequences,” he said.

He said the congress demands the immediate unionization of Dangote Refinery and all its subsidiaries.

According to him, preparations are underway for a united resistance in solidarity with NUPENG, including possible industrial action.

“If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will move beyond words to action.

“Our solidarity is not negotiable. We will fight because we must.

“The working class must not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” he said.

However contrary to NLC’S support, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have dismissed a strike notice issued by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over alleged refusal by Dangote Refinery to allow its compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers to join labour unions.

 

PTD representatives for the Warri zone, Blessing Dafinone, and the Port Harcourt zone, Joseph Dagogo-Jack, rejected the directive, describing it as “unacceptable.”

“This is a clarion call to all Petroleum Tanker Drivers across Nigeria to ignore the strike notice issued by NUPENG leadership. The purported notice stated that the industrial action would take effect on Monday, September 8, 2025. This is obviously insensitive, callous, and unacceptable,” PTD said.

They criticized NUPENG for failing to explore negotiation or dialogue before declaring a strike, stressing that unions are expected to be socially responsible rather than self-serving, as reckless actions could undermine the nation’s socio-economic progress.

The drivers also stressed that union membership is voluntary worldwide and backed Dangote Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 CNG-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution, describing it as being in the best interest of Nigerians.

“Negotiations and symbiotic relationships cannot be achieved through violence, threats, or arrogance. Nigeria is governed under a constitutional democracy, and these union leaders should take note of that very carefully,” the statement added.