A major industrial dispute has escalated in Nigeria's petroleum sector, leading to a nationwide shutdown of petrol distribution by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) starting Monday, September 8, 2025. The union's action is in direct protest against alleged anti-labour practices by the Dangote Refinery, particularly its plan to introduce 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for direct fuel distribution and its refusal to allow new drivers to unionize.

NUPENG, through its President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Olawale Afolabi, has accused the Dangote Refinery of attempting to create "slavish conditions" for workers and undermine the livelihoods of an estimated 250,000 existing petroleum tanker drivers. The union firmly stated that the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), which has distanced itself from the strike, is a creation of the Dangote Refinery and lacks the authority to speak for genuine petroleum tanker drivers. NUPENG vowed not to surrender to such conditions, asserting its statutory right to unionize drivers.

In response to the impending crisis, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, intervened, calling for a conciliation meeting involving all parties for Monday, September 8, 2025, at 3 PM. Minister Dingyadi appealed to NUPENG to reconsider its decision to shut down the petroleum sector and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its "red alert" issued in solidarity with the petroleum workers, emphasizing the critical importance of the sector to Nigeria's economy. He assured that the matter would be resolved amicably to prevent adverse consequential impacts, including heavy revenue losses and hardship for Nigerians.

Solidarity for NUPENG's strike has come from various quarters. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) announced a three-day forewarning of suspension of lifting and dispensing petroleum products commencing from Tuesday, September 9, 2025. PETROAN's National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, underscored the association's commitment to promoting healthy competition against monopolistic tendencies and warned that Dangote's "aggressive business strategies" could lead to millions of job losses across the downstream sector. Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) unequivocally backed NUPENG, rejecting Dangote Refinery's direct distribution plan, which it fears could eliminate thousands of independent transporters operating over 30,000 trucks nationwide. NARTO called for a meaningful dialogue among stakeholders to safeguard fair competition and the welfare of millions of Nigerians dependent on the sector.

However, the planned strike has exposed divisions and faced strong condemnation from other groups. The national leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) distanced itself from the strike, particularly from the Western Zone of the association which had supported the action. IPMAN's National Ex-Officio, Douglas Iyike, stated that Dangote's actions were beneficial to marketers by freeing them from multiple choking levies and were consistent with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He urged members to disregard the strike and continue normal business operations, highlighting the potential for job creation and credit-based product distribution through direct distribution. Additionally, the Economic Rights Activists (ERA), led by Executive Director Dr. Josiah Inuwa, strongly condemned the strike, labeling it "reckless and unpatriotic." ERA argued that the strike would inflict severe hardship on ordinary citizens and could serve the interests of economic saboteurs, potentially undermining Nigeria's energy self-sufficiency goals tied to the Dangote Refinery. ERA also raised concerns about the timing of the strike, aligning with efforts by vested interests to derail the refinery's success, and accused union leaders of hypocrisy.

Despite the Federal Government's plea for a halt and internal appeals, NUPENG leadership confirmed that petrol distribution had indeed commenced its shutdown nationwide on Monday. Akporeha, while expressing optimism for the scheduled conciliation meeting, stressed the union's resolve against "capitalists who want to subject Nigerian workers to slavery." He also vehemently dismissed allegations from groups like the Rights for Human Dignity and Justice (RHDAJ) about plans to burn Dangote's CNG trucks, calling them "faceless propaganda" allegedly sponsored by the refinery.

The broader economic impact is a significant concern. IPMAN National President Abubakar Maigandi appealed for reconciliation between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery and explicitly warned marketers against increasing fuel prices in light of the crisis. However, reports already indicated some filling stations in Abuja had increased pump prices, with some reaching N950 per litre. The ongoing dispute highlights the delicate balance between promoting industrial investment and protecting workers' rights within Nigeria's vital petroleum sector, with potential for widespread hardship if a harmonious resolution is not quickly achieved.