By John Umeh
Nigeria is bracing for another round of fuel scarcity as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared a nationwide strike starting Monday, September 8, 2025. The decision follows what the union described as “anti-union labour practices” linked to the deployment of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by the Dangote Refinery.
In a joint statement signed by Prince Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s National President, and Afolabi Olawale, the General Secretary, the union said it had “exhausted all avenues of dialogue” before taking the painful decision to withdraw services.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has already thrown its weight behind NUPENG, raising fears that the strike could cripple the distribution of petroleum products nationwide and plunge the country into another cycle of long queues, hoarding, and skyrocketing black-market prices.
Background: Dangote’s 10,000 CNG Trucks and Labour Concerns
The crisis traces back to June 14, 2025, when Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, announced plans to import 4,000 CNG trucks for petroleum and diesel distribution. The figure was later increased to 10,000 trucks, sparking mixed reactions across the downstream sector.
While the move was initially hailed as a forward-thinking investment—especially as Nigeria continues to push for gas adoption—questions soon emerged about its impact on existing players. The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and NUPENG requested a clarifying meeting, which was held on June 23, 2025, with Sayyu Dantata representing Dangote.
At the meeting, NUPENG alleged it was informed that the trucks would operate under a new arrangement outside the structure of established trade unions. Matters escalated when, on August 29, 2025, recruitment of drivers for the trucks began. Reports indicated that applicants were required to sign undertakings not to join any of the existing oil and gas unions—a condition NUPENG described as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“This recruitment being carried out on the condition of not joining existing unions is a matter of serious concern to us,” the union said, stressing that the practice violated Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, which guarantees workers’ right to freedom of association.
NUPENG also pointed to Nigeria’s ratification of ILO Convention 87, which enshrines the right to unionize and is enforceable under Section 254C(2) of the Constitution.
Why the Strike?
For NUPENG, the Dangote Group’s alleged exclusionary practices represent more than just an industrial disagreement—they cut to the heart of workers’ rights in Nigeria. The union has framed the strike as a battle to defend constitutional freedoms, not simply a negotiation tactic.
According to the statement, several appeals were made to relevant government agencies, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to intervene and prevent anti-competitive practices. The union also urged the Federal Government to step in and ensure compliance with labour laws, but said its calls fell on deaf ears.
“Having exhausted all available avenues of dialogue, we are left with no option but to embark on a nationwide industrial action beginning Monday, September 8, 2025,” NUPENG declared.
The union added that members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch had been advised to start considering alternative jobs or skills training if the situation persists—an ominous signal of how far the crisis could go.
Potential Fallout: Queues, Black Market Prices, and Public Hardship
Fuel scarcity in Nigeria almost always triggers a chain reaction: endless queues at petrol stations, sudden price hikes, and opportunistic profiteering in the black market. Transport fares soar, food prices climb, and small businesses that depend on generators are forced to cut operations.
Although NUPENG insists the strike is “not intended to inflict hardship on Nigerians,” the reality is that the impact will be felt almost immediately. Filling stations are expected to shut down within days of the strike if product distribution is halted, while intercity transport could grind to a halt.
Already, fears of panic buying have begun to surface, with motorists reportedly rushing to fill their tanks before Monday’s deadline.
Solidarity and Wider Labour Backing
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its full support for NUPENG’s action. Other labour bodies, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are also being courted for solidarity. If these organisations join in, the strike could evolve from a sectoral protest into a nationwide showdown with far-reaching political and economic implications.
Activists and civil society groups have also weighed in, describing the strike as a “test case” for the government’s respect for labour rights under the current administration.
The Call for Government Intervention
NUPENG’s central demand is straightforward: stop the exclusion of union membership in the recruitment process for the new CNG trucks and ensure that all oil and gas sector workers are free to exercise their constitutional rights.
The union also wants the government, through NMDPRA, to enforce Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which empowers the regulator to prevent restrictive or monopolistic practices in the downstream sector.
Until these demands are met, the strike remains on schedule to begin Monday.
A Looming Crisis
As the clock ticks toward September 8, all eyes are on the Federal Government, Dangote Group, and NUPENG. If no resolution is reached, Nigerians may once again find themselves trapped in fuel queues, forced to bear the brunt of a dispute they did not create.
For now, the choice is clear: either the government intervenes swiftly to enforce labour rights and avert the strike, or the country faces yet another crippling round of fuel scarcity—this time born not of supply shortages, but of a battle over workers’ freedom of association.
