NUPENG Strike Deepens as Talks with Dangote Refinery Collapse

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has vowed to sustain its nationwide strike after reconciliation talks with Dangote Refinery collapsed on Monday, intensifying fears of an imminent fuel scarcity across the country.

The conciliation meeting, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, in Abuja, was meant to resolve a brewing face-off between the union and the refinery’s management. However, the talks ended in a stalemate after both sides clashed over the unionisation of petroleum tanker drivers working with the multi-billion-dollar facility.

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Clash Over Workers’ Union Rights

Speaking on Arise News Television on Tuesday, NUPENG President Williams Akporeha accused Dangote Refinery of rejecting recognised oil unions and allegedly attempting to establish a parallel drivers’ association. He confirmed that the strike directive, which commenced nationwide on Monday, would continue until the issue is resolved.

“The strike is still on. We started yesterday. As it is, we are still open to dialogue. Discussions are going on, but the strike is still on,” Akporeha declared.

He further alleged that Sayyu Dantata, a representative of the refinery, abruptly walked out of Monday’s meeting in Abuja. According to him, such actions demonstrated what he described as “dictatorial tendencies” on the part of the investor.

“We thought that yesterday’s meeting would be a one-day affair. But what we saw yesterday should tell Nigerians that we are in for a dictator investor. So, the strike continues anyway. But I’m hopeful good reason will prevail,” he added.

Akporeha stressed that only recognised unions in the oil and gas sector, including NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), are legally empowered to represent workers. He warned that attempts to sideline them would not be tolerated.

“Strikes are part of industrial relations. But under my leadership, it has never been the first option. We are still engaging, but no employer has the right to enslave workers,” he said.

Strike Shuts Down Fuel Depots Nationwide

The strike, which began on Monday morning, has already grounded operations at petroleum depots across major cities. Tanker drivers stopped fuel loading activities, leaving trucks parked at depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Delta State.

The industrial action has also forced private refineries to shut down operations. Among those affected are the Aradel refinery in Obele, Port Harcourt, and the Kwale Hydrocarbon facility in Delta State.

Depot managers confirmed that drivers were waiting for fresh directives from union leaders, while fuel loading bays remained locked. The disruptions have sparked panic among consumers and petroleum marketers, who fear the country could slide into widespread fuel scarcity if the strike lingers.

Federal Government and Labour Congress Intervene

Despite appeals from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the strike has persisted. The Minister of Labour and Employment had earlier expressed optimism that dialogue would prevail, but the dramatic walkout at the Abuja meeting dashed hopes of a quick resolution.

NUPENG maintains that the strike is not intended to sabotage Dangote Refinery’s operations but to defend workers’ rights. “Everybody wants Dangote to succeed, including NUPENG. But he must play by the rules. Nigeria cannot afford investors who act like dictators or slave drivers,” Akporeha said.

The NLC has also urged both parties to return to the negotiation table, stressing that the dispute, if prolonged, could deepen economic hardship for Nigerians already grappling with inflation and rising fuel prices.

Looming Fuel Scarcity

With depots locked and trucks grounded, petroleum marketers warn that fuel shortages could emerge within days if the industrial action is not resolved swiftly. Many filling stations across Lagos and Port Harcourt have already begun rationing supplies, with long queues reported in some areas.

Industry experts caution that the strike could paralyse economic activities if extended. The Dangote Refinery, widely celebrated as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s oil sector, was expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products. However, the current crisis risks undermining that vision.

Analysts argue that failure to resolve the standoff could erode confidence in Nigeria’s industrial relations framework, especially as the refinery is one of the largest single-train facilities in the world.

 Industrial Relations

The unfolding crisis highlights the broader challenges facing labour relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. While investors seek operational flexibility, unions insist on protecting workers’ rights through established frameworks.

For now, the deadlock persists. NUPENG says it remains open to negotiations but will not call off the strike until Dangote Refinery formally recognises existing oil unions. Meanwhile, the refinery’s management has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement addressing the union’s allegations.

As both sides dig in, Nigerians brace for the impact. If the strike continues unchecked, queues at filling stations could worsen, transport costs could surge, and the fragile economy could face yet another shock.

The coming days will determine whether reason prevails at the negotiation table or if the impasse drags the country into another round of fuel scarcity.