By John Umeh
Fuel Distribution Grinds to a Halt
The nationwide supply of petroleum products has come under serious strain as the strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) entered its second day on Monday, crippling fuel loading activities across the country.
Depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Delta, and other regions were completely shut down as tanker drivers complied with NUPENG’s directive to halt lifting of fuel. This has sparked growing fears of fuel scarcity and sharp increases in pump prices, with filling stations already witnessing queues in major cities.
An official at the Satellite Depot in Lagos confirmed the severity of the situation:
“Stocks are being depleted at filling stations due to limited supplies. If the dispute is not resolved within 72 hours, there will be a fuel price crisis. Station owners may begin adjusting their pump prices to take advantage,” the source warned.
Why NUPENG is Striking
At the heart of the dispute is the unionisation of workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. NUPENG accuses the refinery of attempting to ban tanker drivers, depot workers, and other employees from joining unions.
The union insists that this violates established labour laws and international standards on workers’ rights. NUPENG also alleges that agreements on welfare packages, collective bargaining, and job security have been sidelined by the refinery’s management.
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha reiterated the union’s stance:
“We have achieved 100 per cent compliance across the nation. Unless these issues are fully addressed, the strike will continue. The rights of our members to unionise and bargain collectively cannot be compromised.”
Federal Government’s Intervention Stalls
The strike prompted an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammed Dingyadi and Minister of State for Labour Nkeiru Onyejeocha.
The meeting, which was delayed until evening due to the late arrival of union officials, brought together NUPENG executives, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as the Dangote Group, MRS Petroleum, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Despite hours of negotiations, the meeting ended in a deadlock. While a Memorandum of Understanding was drafted, Dangote Group representatives reportedly rejected certain provisions, forcing further dialogue late into the night.
As of 10:15 pm on Monday, discussions were still ongoing, with both sides refusing to concede ground.
Depots and Filling Stations Shut Nationwide
Reports from across the country showed near-total compliance with NUPENG’s directive. Depots belonging to Aiteo, RainOil, Shell+, First Royal, Matrix, Parker AY Shafa, Africa Terminals, and Integrated Oil and Gas were locked. In Warri, additional depots such as A&E and MAO also joined the strike.
In Sokoto, NUPENG officials shut down filling stations across the state, erecting barricades along key highways linking Sokoto to neighbouring states.
Eyewitnesses reported stranded motorists, with tricycle and bus operators already warning of impending fare hikes. A commercial driver, Bello Musa, lamented:
“If this continues, transport fares will rise and it will affect everybody. Even food prices will go up because trucks won’t move.”
Stakeholders React: Dangote’s Position and OGSPAN’s Defence
While NUPENG accuses the refinery of resisting unionisation, some stakeholders argue that the Dangote Refinery has significantly improved welfare conditions in the oil and gas sector.
Lawal Kamaldeen, Vice President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), defended the refinery’s labour practices:
“Drivers earn around ₦300,000 monthly, with decent accommodation provided. This is unprecedented in the sector. If given the chance, the refinery will positively impact not only workers but the entire Nigerian economy.”
Still, unions remain sceptical, accusing Dangote of trying to monopolise the sector and displace existing workers with new recruits.
PENGASSAN and Other Associations Join the Fight
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has thrown its weight behind NUPENG. Its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, accused Dangote of persistently resisting unionisation since the refinery’s inception:
“The denial of workers’ rights will no longer be tolerated. If the situation continues, PENGASSAN will be forced to join in shutting down refinery operations as a last resort.”
Similarly, the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have threatened to withdraw services if the deadlock persists.
NOGASA President Bennett Korie directed suppliers of petroleum products to industries, hotels, and telecommunication sites nationwide to halt deliveries by Tuesday morning unless progress was made.
PETROAN’s President, Billy Gillis-Harry, also instructed retail outlet owners to suspend sales from midnight Tuesday should the strike continue.
Looming Economic Fallout
The paralysis in petroleum supply is already sending shockwaves through Nigeria’s fragile economy. Analysts warn that continued shutdowns could worsen inflation, hike transport fares, and disrupt businesses dependent on steady fuel supply.
The Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN) has appealed for urgent resolution, stressing that the entire downstream sector could collapse if the strike lingers.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian public waits anxiously as queues grow at filling stations, transport fares inch upward, and the threat of a nationwide scarcity looms.
The standoff between NUPENG and the Dangote Refinery is more than a union dispute—it is a test of Nigeria’s ability to balance private sector investment with workers’ rights. As both sides hold their ground and the Federal Government struggles to broker peace, the risk of a full-blown nationwide fuel crisis grows larger by the hour.
Unless urgent compromises are made, the strike may spiral into a broader shutdown of Nigeria’s oil and gas supply chain—an outcome the nation can ill afford amid already harsh economic realities.
