NIGERIA is bracing for a crippling nationwide fuel scarcity as the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and key transport associations have vowed to proceed with their planned strike today, September 8, 2025, despite last-minute government intervention.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) announced their solidarity with NUPENG in the looming industrial action, which threatens to paralyse fuel distribution across the country.
On Sunday, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, convened an emergency conciliation meeting in Abuja, appealing to the unions to suspend the strike. But union leaders rejected the call, describing the government’s efforts as “too little, too late.”
In a strongly worded statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union dismissed reports that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch had pulled out of the strike.
“This is nothing but a management-inspired fabrication designed to sow confusion. Our members remain united. Solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong,” the statement declared.
Speaking to BusinessDay on Sunday night, Olawale Afolabi doubled down, insisting the strike would go ahead.
“Not at all. We are scheduled to start looking for new employment and new skills tomorrow (today),” he said when asked if the union would reconsider.
The dispute stems from allegations of anti-labour practices by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which recently announced plans to import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for direct fuel distribution to retailers.
NUPENG argues that this scheme threatens the jobs of its tanker drivers and accused the refinery of imposing a rival union—the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) to undermine its PTD branch.
According to the union, the DTCDA is “an artificially created association” allegedly sponsored by Aliko Dangote and his cousin Sayyu Dantata, owner of MRS Energy Limited, where the new body is reportedly headquartered.
“Slavery ended centuries ago but some unscrupulous capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave. Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions,” NUPENG warned.
The strike threat has also attracted support from transport and fuel marketers. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry described the situation as “a looming danger” that could destabilise the downstream oil and gas sector.
NARTO, whose members own thousands of petroleum tankers across Nigeria, has equally aligned with NUPENG, saying it will not allow policies that erode job security or promote monopolistic control of fuel distribution.
Despite the government’s late intervention, the unions appear resolute, setting the stage for a nationwide shutdown that could cripple the economy and deepen the hardship already faced by citizens.
