The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) called off its two-day strike on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following productive negotiations with the Federal Government and the Dangote Group. The decision came after a critical meeting facilitated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which addressed the union’s grievances regarding the alleged refusal of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited to allow its workers to unionize. The suspension of the strike brought relief to millions of Nigerians who faced fuel supply disruptions and price hikes across several states as filling stations shut down and transportation costs soared.
Background of the Dispute
The strike, which began on Monday, stemmed from allegations that the Dangote Refinery was preventing its employees, particularly drivers for its 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks, from joining NUPENG. The union claimed that the refinery’s management was attempting to establish a separate workers’ association, a move NUPENG deemed illegal under Nigeria’s labor laws, which recognize established unions like NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, emphasized that the strike was not aimed at undermining the refinery’s operations but at ensuring workers’ rights to unionize were respected.
The dispute escalated after a Monday meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, failed to yield results. Akporeha alleged that a representative of the Dangote Group, Sayyu Dantata, walked out of the meeting when pressed on the issue of unionization. This prompted NUPENG to intensify its industrial action, leading to the closure of petroleum depots and filling stations across the country, severely disrupting fuel distribution.
The Breakthrough Agreement
Following the stalled talks, the Ministry of Labour convened another meeting on Tuesday, bringing together a broader range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Dangote Group, led by Sayyu Dantata, officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The discussions culminated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that addressed NUPENG’s core demands.
Key resolutions in the MoU included:
- Unionization of Workers: The Dangote Refinery agreed to allow its employees to join registered labor unions, in line with Nigeria’s labor laws. The process of unionization is set to commence immediately and be completed by September 22, 2025.
- No Parallel Unions: The refinery committed to not establishing any alternative workers’ associations, ensuring that only recognized unions like NUPENG would represent its employees.
- Protection Against Victimization: The agreement guaranteed that no worker would face repercussions for participating in the strike or seeking to unionize.
The MoU was signed by key figures, including Sayyu Dantata for the Dangote Group, Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale for NUPENG, OK Ukoha for the NMDPRA, and Amos Falonipe from the Ministry of Labour. Both parties agreed to reconvene with the Minister of Labour a week after the unionization process concludes to review progress. Based on these commitments, NUPENG suspended the strike with immediate effect, allowing fuel loading and distribution to resume.
Impact of the Strike
The two-day strike had a significant impact on fuel availability and transportation costs across Nigeria. In several states, including Cross River, Kaduna, Enugu, and Anambra, filling stations were shuttered, forcing motorists to turn to black-market vendors who charged exorbitant prices—up to N1,500 per litre in some areas. In Calabar, transport fares surged, with a trip from Watt to Calabar Roundabout rising from N300 to N500. Similarly, in Kaduna, major filling stations like Future View and NNPC Mega Station were closed, leaving motorists like Musa Lawal, a tricycle operator, struggling to find fuel.
In Enugu, commuters faced significant disruptions as petrol stations closed by noon, leading to fare hikes of up to 67%, with bus rides from Garriki to New Market increasing from N300 to N500. Anambra saw long queues at the few operational filling stations, with transport fares doubling in some cases. In Gombe, pump prices rose to between N910 and N1,000 per litre, with marketers citing uncertainty in the sector as the reason for the adjustment.
However, some states, such as Jos, Kano, Zamfara, and Ilorin, reported minimal disruptions, while Sokoto experienced only marginal price increases. In Lagos and Ogun, panic buying exacerbated the situation, with long queues forming at operational stations.
Industry and Public Reactions
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, described the strike as a “looming danger” but commended the Federal Government’s swift intervention. He noted that PETROAN members had joined the strike on Tuesday due to the lack of progress in Monday’s talks but were relieved by the resolution.
Residents and commuters expressed frustration over the disruptions. In Calabar, Mary Archibong lamented the fare hikes, which strained household budgets. In Kaduna, Sani Ibrahim, a motorist, decried the arbitrary price increases at independent stations, where fuel was sold at N950 per litre, up from N860.
NUPENG’s Stance and Broader Implications
Speaking on national television, Akporeha clarified that the strike was a last resort to protect workers’ rights, not an attempt to sabotage the Dangote Refinery. “Everybody wants Dangote to succeed, including NUPENG. But he must play by the rules,” he said, stressing that no employer should “enslave workers” or act like a “dictator.” He dismissed claims that NUPENG was trying to frustrate local production, emphasizing that the union’s actions were in line with its mandate to advocate for its members.
The strike also highlighted broader tensions in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly around labor rights and the operations of major players like the Dangote Refinery. The refinery’s plan to distribute fuel directly using its fleet of trucks had raised concerns among NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch, who feared job losses. The delay in the delivery of the trucks, attributed to a shortage of ships, had already postponed the refinery’s distribution scheme, originally slated for August 15, 2025.
Looking Ahead
With the strike suspended, fuel loading is expected to resume on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, potentially easing the supply constraints and price pressures felt across the country. The agreement marks a significant step toward resolving the labor dispute, but the coming weeks will be critical as the unionization process unfolds. The commitment to complete unionization by September 22 and the promise of no victimization provide a framework for collaboration between the Dangote Refinery and NUPENG.
The resolution also underscores the importance of dialogue in addressing industrial disputes in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector. As the country navigates its energy challenges, ensuring fair labor practices and stable fuel supply chains will remain key priorities for all stakeholders.