The Nigerian Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike, which was set to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025. The appeal was made by Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi in a statement issued from Abuja, urging the union to reconsider its decision.
Dingyadi warned that a shutdown of the petroleum sector would have severe consequences for the Nigerian economy and would exacerbate the hardships already faced by citizens. He emphasized the sector’s critical role, noting that even a brief strike could result in revenue losses running into billions of naira and cause significant suffering for Nigerians.
To address the dispute, the minister has invited all parties to a conciliation meeting aimed at resolving the conflict between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over unionisation rights. He also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its directive for affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity action with petroleum workers. Dingyadi assured the public that the matter would be settled peacefully, avoiding any disruption to the vital oil and gas industry, and urged the unions to “give peace a chance,” expressing confidence that an amicable resolution could be reached.
The planned strike stems from the ongoing dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group, raising concerns about its potential impact on the economy. The government’s appeal to suspend the strike aims to prevent any interruption to the oil and gas sector, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic stability. As the situation develops, the outcome of the conciliation meeting and the responses of NUPENG and the NLC will be closely watched, determining the next steps in preserving the industry’s uninterrupted operation.
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