The Nigerian Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to commence on Monday, September 8, 2025. Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja, urging the union to reconsider its decision.
According to Dingyadi, a shutdown of the petroleum sector would have severe consequences for the Nigerian economy, exacerbating the hardship faced by citizens. The minister emphasized the critical role of the petroleum sector, stating that even a brief strike would result in substantial revenue losses, potentially running into billions, and inflicting significant hardship on Nigerians.
Dingyadi has intervened in the matter, inviting all parties for a conciliation meeting to resolve the dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over unionisation rights. He also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its directive for affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity action with petroleum workers.
The minister assured the public that the dispute would be resolved peacefully, avoiding any disruption to the vital oil and gas industry. He urged the unions to “give peace a chance,” expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved amicably, to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
The planned strike is a result of the ongoing dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group, which has raised concerns about the potential impact on the Nigerian economy. The government’s appeal to suspend the strike is aimed at preventing any disruption to the oil and gas sector, which is a critical component of the country’s economy.
As the situation unfolds, the government’s efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully will be closely monitored. The outcome of the conciliation meeting and the response of NUPENG and the NLC will be crucial in determining the next steps. The Nigerian government is working to prevent any disruption to the oil and gas industry, which is essential for the country’s economic stability.
