FG begs NUPENG to shelve planned strike over dispute with Dangote group
By John Okezie
The Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to reconsider their stance on commencing a nationwide industrial action from Monday, September 8, 2025 over their dispute with the Dangote Group, bordering on the company’s policy against unionisation by its employees.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who made the appeal over the weekend, also pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with the petroleum workers, who are protesting alleged anti-workers and anti-union agenda of the Dangote Group.
He said that since his Ministry has intervened in the matter, the unions should shelve their plan of shutting down the petroleum industry, with a view to maintaining peace in this highly critical sector of the Nigerian economy.
A statement from the ministry’s Spokesperson, Patience Onuobia, quoted Dingyadi saying, “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. 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”, he said.
The Minister 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.
NUPENG on Friday, threatened to mobilize its members for a nationwide strike over what it described as “primitive capitalist, monopolistic and anti-union practices” of Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata.
In a statement signed by its National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the Union accused the two businessmen of plotting to dominate Nigeria’s oil and gas downstream sector by importing 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks and taking over nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
According to the union, the plan not only threatens existing players in the petroleum distribution chain, but also tramples on workers’ rights and could ultimately result in higher fuel prices and declining living standards for Nigerians.
