The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) announced that it will commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025. The decision follows accusations that Dangote Refinery management is engaging in exploitative labor practices, which the union has described as “modern‑day slavery.” In a statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olufemi, the union said it had previously warned of the strike, citing the refinery’s alleged anti‑labor policies.
At the heart of the dispute is Dangote’s plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)‑powered trucks to deliver fuel directly to retailers, bypassing traditional distribution channels. NUPENG condemned the proposal, arguing that it undermines workers’ rights and promotes an anti‑union stance. The union specifically alleges that Dangote has prohibited newly recruited drivers from joining any labor union, a claim the company has not addressed.
The Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) has opposed NUPENG’s planned strike, distancing itself from the union’s position. NUPENG, however, dismissed the DTCDA as a management‑backed entity designed to weaken the unity and influence of petroleum tanker drivers. The union contends that the DTCDA is merely a recruiting front created to manage the imported CNG trucks and lacks legitimacy to represent petroleum tanker drivers.
The dispute underscores the ongoing tensions between labor unions and management in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. As the strike approaches, attention will focus on how the situation unfolds, the implications for the industry and the country, and Dangote Refinery’s response to the allegations. The potential impact on fuel distribution and the broader economy will be closely monitored in the coming days.
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