The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to commence a nationwide strike from Monday, September 8, 2025, due to a dispute with the management of Dangote Refinery over its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck distribution scheme.
The Dangote nationwide fuel distribution scheme, which was billed to commence in August has been delayed due to logistics challenges that affected shipment of the CNG trucks from China to Nigeria.
The company had confirmed the arrival of about 450 trucks out of the proposed 4,000 trucks to be used for direct distribution of petroleum products to retailers nationwide, aiming to reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency.
Pinnacle Daily reports that Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution initiative has been generating reactions from stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector in the country as marketers lamenter that it would affect their business.
The refinery plans to commit a significant capital investment estimated at N720 billion to the scheme, highlighting the company’s commitment to pioneering innovative solutions to energy needs in the country.
The company said the scheme would save Nigerians about ₦1.7 trillion annually on fuel consumption.
Reason for the Strike Threat
In a statement released Friday, jointly signed by NUPENG president, Williams Akporeha and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the group accused the refinery of “anti-labour practices inimical to the survival of its members.”
NUPENG alleged that the refinery is preventing newly recruited drivers of the CNG trucks from joining trade unions, requiring them to sign undertakings renouncing union membership.
The Union said this violates the constitutional rights of the drivers for freedom of association (Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution) and a breach of international labour conventions (such as ILO Convention No. 87).
NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of enforcing policies that undermine workers’ rights to unionize, describing it as “economic sabotage” and “enslavement.”
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The union claimed that Dangote aims to monopolize fuel distribution, crush competition, and potentially raise prices, harming both workers and consumers.
The organisation urged the public to be patience as it announced that its members will no longer be loading petroleum products across the country as of Monday, September 8. The Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other industrial unions were also urged to get ready for solidarity protests.
If the strike proceeds, nationwide fuel shortages are likely, as NUPENG members (including petroleum tanker drivers) will halt loading and distribution of petroleum products.
The strike could disrupt economic activities and exacerbate existing challenges in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
At the time of reporting, the refinery had not publicly responded to the allegations.
