FG intervenes in NUPENG-Dangote refinery row, calls for reconciliation meeting

The federal government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, over a dispute with the Dangote refinery.

On September 5, NUPENG said workers will down their tools and start sourcing for alternative employment from September 8.

The union said the decision is in response to Dangote refinery’s alleged prevention of its compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker drivers from “joining labour unions”.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) had said they would not join the planned strike by the NUPENG.

However, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also announced plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days, from September 9, in support of NUPENG.

Earlier today, NUPENG reiterated its plan to embark on the strike despite the announcement by DTCDA.

Addressing the situation in a statement on Sunday, Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment, said the industrial action would cripple the petroleum sector, the backbone of the Nigerian economy and inflict hardship on citizens.

Dingyadi said he has convened a conciliation meeting for Monday with all parties involved, urging NUPENG to suspend its strike plans.

“I have invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting tomorrow, Monday, September 8, 2025. Since I have intervened, I plead with NUPENG to rescind their decision to shut down the petroleum sector from tomorrow,” the minister said.

“I also appeal to the NLC to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with NUPENG.

“The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy.

“It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.

“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.”

Dingyadi also assured Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector, which is vital to the Nigerian economy.