The Nigerian petroleum sector is currently facing significant disruption as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had vowed to commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025. This industrial action is a protest against the Dangote Refinery's alleged anti-labour practices, specifically its decision to prevent drivers of its newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks from joining any trade union. NUPENG also expressed strong opposition to the massive importation of these trucks, arguing that it would displace its members from their livelihoods.

In a statement issued by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, the union affirmed that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch would refrain from lifting petroleum products from depots nationwide. NUPENG vehemently disowned the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) and its President, Enoch Kanawa, who had urged Nigerians to disregard the planned strike. NUPENG leaders labeled DTCDA as a creation of the Dangote Refinery, asserting that NUPENG is the sole statutorily recognized union authorized to organize drivers. The union declared it would not yield to what it termed 'slavish conditions' being promoted by the refinery in the oil industry, stressing that the right of association is fundamental for workers.

Responding to the impending crisis, the federal government swiftly intervened, appealing to NUPENG to reconsider its decision to embark on the nationwide industrial action. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, announced on Sunday, September 7, 2025, that he had invited all parties for a conciliation meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025. Minister Dingyadi also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its 'red alert' to affiliate unions to prepare for a solidarity strike. He underscored the critical importance of the petroleum sector to Nigeria's economy, warning that even a day's strike would lead to billions of Naira in revenue losses and cause immense hardship for citizens. He assured that the matter would be amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

Solidarity for NUPENG came from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which stated on Monday, September 8, 2025, that it would shut down refinery operations as a last resort if the dispute remained unresolved. PENGASSAN's General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, highlighted Dangote Refinery's consistent resistance to the unionization of potential members of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG since its inception. PENGASSAN firmly supported NUPENG's call for the full unionization of all refinery employees, aligning with International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles and Nigerian labour laws.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also announced a three-day suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products, commencing Tuesday, September 9, 2025. This action was declared in support of NUPENG and as an 'advocacy for healthy competition' against any form of monopoly in the downstream sector. PETROAN's National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, warned that Dangote's aggressive business strategies could lead to millions of job losses, affecting private depot owners, modular refinery operators, marketers, retail owners, and truck drivers. He urged Nigerians to be vigilant against promises that might seem beneficial short-term but lead to long-term negative consequences, referencing past events in the cement industry. However, Gillis-Harry later indicated that government intervention had yielded positive results and that ongoing dialogue among stakeholders offered hope for a solution, suggesting the strike might serve as a