By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called an urgent peace meeting with the management of Dangote Refinery and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to address escalating concerns over a potential nationwide strike that could disrupt fuel supply.
The New Diplomat gathered that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, invited all parties for the emergency meeting, scheduled to hold on Monday, September 8, 2025.
The meeting is said to be aimed at averting a potential national crisis threatening Nigeria’s petroleum sector, a critical backbone of the nation’s economy.
Recall that the dispute stemmed from NUPENG’s allegations of anti-labor practices by Dangote Refinery, particularly the refinery’s alleged refusal to allow its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker drivers to join labor unions.
NUPENG claimed that Dangote’s management, led by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, is allegedly forcing drivers to sign undertakings prohibiting them from enlisting as members of trade union, a move the union deemed as a violation of workers’ rights under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and international labor laws.
In response, NUPENG announced a nationwide strike set to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025, a decision endorsed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The NLC has also directed its 54 affiliates and 36 state councils to prepare for solidarity action, raising fears of widespread fuel scarcity, economic paralysis.
