The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, effective Monday, September 8, 2025. This decision follows allegations of exploitative labor practices by the Dangote Refinery management, which the union likened to modern-day slavery. According to a statement signed by NUPENG’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, the union had previously warned of the impending strike, citing the refinery’s purported anti-labor practices.

At the center of the dispute is Dangote’s proposal to import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to deliver fuel directly to retailers, thereby bypassing traditional distribution channels. The union has condemned this move, arguing that it undermines the rights of workers and fosters an anti-union stance. Specifically, NUPENG alleges that Dangote has barred newly recruited drivers from joining any labor union, which the company has yet to address.

The Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) has opposed NUPENG’s planned strike, distancing itself from the union’s position. However, NUPENG has rejected the DTCDA’s stance, dismissing the group as a management-backed creation aimed at undermining the unity and influence of petroleum tanker drivers. The union claims that the DTCDA is merely a recruiting front established to manage the imported CNG trucks and lacks the legitimacy to represent petroleum tanker drivers.

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between labor unions and management in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. As the strike is set to commence, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what implications it may have for the industry and the country as a whole. With the Dangote Refinery at the center of the controversy, the company’s response to the allegations will be closely watched. The strike’s potential impact on fuel distribution and the broader economy will also be a key area of focus in the coming days.