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.
The union explained that the move is in protest against alleged anti-labour practices connected to the use of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks from Dangote Refinery.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union said the new arrangement violates workers’ rights and sidelines existing trade unions in the oil and gas industry.
On June 14, 2025, Alhaji Aliko Dangote revealed plans to bring in 4,000 CNG trucks, which was later raised to 10,000, for nationwide fuel and diesel distribution.
At first, the investment was welcomed, but it soon raised worries from stakeholders, especially 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 showed that the trucks would be managed under a new system that excluded the current unions.
NUPENG further alleged that recruitment for drivers began on August 29, 2025, with applicants required to sign agreements not to join any union in the oil and gas sector. The union described this condition as unacceptable and harmful to workers’ rights.
The statement noted that this violates Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act,
which protects workers from punishment over union membership, and ILO Convention No. 87, which Nigeria has ratified and made binding under Section 254C(2) of the Constitution.
NUPENG also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to step in and use its powers under Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to prevent unfair practices in the petroleum sector.
After several attempts to resolve the matter through talks with government agencies and stakeholders failed, the union said it had no option left but to begin the strike.
It stressed that the action is not meant to cause hardship for Nigerians but to protect workers’ rights and ensure a fair and competitive downstream oil industry.
The union appealed for public support and called on other labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to stand with them.
It also revealed that members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch had been advised to consider alternative employment or skills training if the dispute continues.
