Nigeria may be on the brink of a major fuel supply crisis as the strike action by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) enters its second day, following the collapse of talks between the Federal Government, labour leaders, and representatives of the Dangote Group.
Fuel loading operations across depots nationwide were brought to a standstill on Monday, after NUPENG enforced its directive in protest against what it described as anti-labour practices at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. At the heart of the dispute is the alleged attempt by the company to prevent workers from joining unions.
The high-level negotiation held in Abuja on Monday night ended abruptly after Sayyu Dantata, who represented the Dangote Group, reportedly walked out of the meeting. The talks, which aimed to resolve the standoff over unionisation at the refinery, were co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiru Onyejeocha.
In attendance were senior officials from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), NUPENG, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, along with executives from Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.
Confirming the collapse of the talks, Minister Dingyadi told journalists after the meeting:
“There are issues we have not been able to reach a final agreement on. Since it was getting late and some of the parties were travelling to Lagos, we had to call off the meeting until tomorrow. But I am confident that by tomorrow, we should be able to resolve these issues.”
However, labour leaders expressed deep frustration, accusing Dangote Group of intentionally sabotaging negotiations.
“Even when we bent backwards to accommodate his uncompromising behaviour, he still walked out. We are left with no option but to do the needful. The strike action continues,” said Benson Upah, acting Secretary of the NLC.
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha also condemned the alleged anti-union stance of the Dangote Group, warning that the union would not allow Nigerian workers to be “enslaved.”
“We cannot stand by and see an investor monopolise not just the system but even the workers. Nigerians have wished him well, but we will not allow him to enslave them,” Akporeha stated.
The NLC had earlier raised alarm over what it called “crude and dangerous anti-union practices” at Dangote facilities, claiming that such tactics violate the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and international labour conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The current strike action follows a warning issued by NUPENG last Friday, alleging that Dangote planned to bar drivers recruited for its 4,000-truck fleet from joining the union, a move the union says is unacceptable.
While the Federal Government reportedly made efforts over the weekend to dissuade NUPENG from commencing the strike, the union insisted that its decision was final unless workers’ rights were respected.
Adding to the pressure, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also signaled its readiness to join the protest. In a statement issued by its National PRO, Joseph Obele, the association announced a three-day warning suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing activities starting Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
As of Monday morning, reports indicated full compliance with NUPENG’s no-loading directive across fuel depots. While the impact of the industrial action is yet to fully reflect at fuel stations, stakeholders warn that continued disruption may soon trigger widespread fuel scarcity.
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