A potential scarcity of petroleum products is looming in Nigeria as the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) continues its strike. The union’s action follows a breakdown in negotiations between the Federal Government, organised labour, and the Dangote Group on Monday in Abuja. NUPENG officials have stopped fuel loading activities across depots nationwide, protesting the alleged ban on workers’ unionism by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The strike commenced after talks between the parties hit a roadblock, with Sayyu Dantata, representing the Dangote Group, reportedly walking out on Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and the labour delegation. The meeting, co-chaired by Dingyadi and Minister of State for Labour Nkeiru Onyejeocha, aimed to resolve issues related to the unionisation of Dangote Refinery workers. However, the Dangote representative’s actions were seen as a deliberate attempt to frustrate negotiations, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

NUPENG President Williams Akporeha stated that the union’s action is in defence of Nigerian workers, accusing Dangote of attempting to “enslave” employees. The NLC had earlier issued an alert to the Federal Government and the Dangote Group, alleging “crude and dangerous anti-union practices, monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies” at Dangote companies. These policies, the NLC claims, violate Section 40 of the Constitution, the Labour Act, and International Labour Organisation conventions ratified by Nigeria.

The strike has resulted in full compliance with the no-fuel-lifting directive, with product scarcity beginning to sweep across Rivers State and other parts of the country. Sources at Lagos depots confirmed that product loading has stopped, with gates shut at several depots. Akporeha reported “100 per cent compliance” across the nation, prompting concerns that the continuous shutdown of depots could lead to fuel scarcity.

The Federal Government had reached out to the union to avert the strike, but NUPENG insisted that the industrial action would continue. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has also expressed its opposition to market monopoly, with its members planning to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products. As the strike continues, stakeholders fear that the effects of the scarcity will soon be felt by Nigerians, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to the dispute.