₦airaland Forum

PRESS RELEASE

FG URGES NUPENG TO SHELVE PLANNED STRIKE OVER DISPUTE WITH DANGOTE GROUP

The Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to reconsider their stance on commencing a nationwide industrial action from Monday, September 8, 2025 over their dispute with the Dangote Group, bordering on the company’s policy against unionisation by its employees.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who made the appeal today, also pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with the petroleum workers, who are protesting alleged anti-workers and anti-union agenda of the Dangote Group.

He said that since his Ministry has intervened in the matter, the unions should shelve their plan of shutting down the petroleum industry, with a view to maintaining peace in this highly critical sector of the Nigerian economy.

Dingyadi stated: “I have invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting tomorrow, Monday, September 8, 2025. Since I have intervened, I plead with NUPENG to rescind their decision to shut down the petroleum sector from tomorrow. I also appeal to the NLC to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with NUPENG.

“The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.

“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.”

The Minister also assures Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector, which is vital to the Nigerian economy.

Patience Onuobia
Head, Information and Public Relations
7 September 2025

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BBFTFuiSM/

HMM...


I don't understand what the future holds for this country anymore

NUPENG must not be allowed to blackmail and threaten the government and the economy. Dangote refinery is a private entity and reserves the right to enforce internal conditions as it deems fit.

The only organisation that may even be considered to have a say here is the Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Association of Nigeria and they have told their members to ignore NUPENG and the strike.

NUPENG wants to force unionisation in a private refinery and by so doing will want to dictate to Dangote how to relate with drivers under its employ. That is a no-no. Did NUPENG go after Greenfield gas? Has NUPENG gone after Nigerian breweries, coca cola or Guinness? Does NUPENG dictate to any of these companies that they must enforce unionisation of their drivers? Why is NUPENG insisting that Dangote drivers must unionise?

Dangote has thousands of truck drivers in his sugar, salt, flour and cement companies. Why did NUPENG not bring up the issue of their unionisation all this while? Is it because NUPENG has read the hand writing on the wall and knows that Dangote is about to render them irrelevant? Dangote should call thier bluff.

NUPENG didn't down tools to force government to fix the terrible roads the unions drivers have been forced to use all these years. NUPENG kept looking the other way as hundreds of its drivers lost their lives in the course of delivering products across the country. Now NUPENG claims to have found its voice? Dangote should crush them. NUPENG has held Nigerians hostage for too long.

This guy's don't understand the concept of a deregulated market.

Fuel would have been N1,500 now if not for Dangote. Landing cost was their rallying cry each time they wanted to perpetuate their criminal act. $ is 1500, but there are selling below 900.

For me I support Dangote, if person no like make him build him own or import from Malta

Let's wait and see
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Na dis king fight I Dey like… the kind fight wey common man go benefit💯

The Cabal always want to be in control,in order to continue dictating what happens in a private refinery.
And want to grind a whole nation for personal reasons.
Let's see how it goes

I support Dangote on this.
It's not a must to join union, besides Dangote is a private company

All this noise, up and down, Jogo bonito on top fuel wey we go still Dey pay 5% on top?

It is well, at the same time, It is not well o

Tinubu Tinubu Tinubu, what many times did I call you

It is not a must to join union, we have freedom of association in our constitution and this one that it has to do with private refinery. They want to hold Dangote by jugular.

NUPENG is just being childish...how can you be planning to go on strike over issues like this? What has going on strike got to do with what's on ground?

Dogalmighty17:
NUPENG must not be allowed to blackmail and threaten the government and the economy. Dangote refinery is a private entity and reserves the right to enforce internal conditions as it deems fit.

NUPENG wants to force unionisation in a private refinery and by so doing will want to dictate to Dangote how to relate with drivers under its employ. That is a no-no. Did NUPENG go after Greenfield gas? Has NUPENG gone after Nigerian breweries, coca cola or Guinness? Does NUPENG dictate to any of these companies that they must enforce unionisation of their drivers? Why is NUPENG insisting that Dangote drivers must unionise?

You sef, does NB, coca-cola deal on petroleum products. It's lawful for labour association 🤷🏿

Dogalmighty17:
NUPENG must not be allowed to blackmail and threaten the government and the economy. Dangote refinery is a private entity and reserves the right to enforce internal conditions as it deems fit.

NUPENG wants to force unionisation in a private refinery and by so doing will want to dictate to Dangote how to relate with drivers under its employ. That is a no-no. Did NUPENG go after Greenfield gas? Has NUPENG gone after Nigerian breweries, coca cola or Guinness? Does NUPENG dictate to any of these companies that they must enforce unionisation of their drivers? Why is NUPENG insisting that Dangote drivers must unionise?

No you have missed the point, according to our labour laws, employees have the freedom of association. No employer should force employees into an agreement that they would not join a union. It is gateway to exploitation.

Dogalmighty17:
NUPENG must not be allowed to blackmail and threaten the government and the economy. Dangote refinery is a private entity and reserves the right to enforce internal conditions as it deems fit.

NUPENG wants to force unionisation in a private refinery and by so doing will want to dictate to Dangote how to relate with drivers under its employ. That is a no-no. Did NUPENG go after Greenfield gas? Has NUPENG gone after Nigerian breweries, coca cola or Guinness? Does NUPENG dictate to any of these companies that they must enforce unionisation of their drivers? Why is NUPENG insisting that Dangote drivers must unionise?

Your first paragraph is not the position of the law in Nigeria
Do some research


Legal Framework Supporting the Right to Unionise in Nigeria:

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended)

Section 40 guarantees freedom of association, which includes the right to form or join trade unions:

“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons… for the protection of his interests, including the right to form or belong to any trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”

The Trade Unions Act (Cap T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004)

Provides the legal framework for the formation, registration, and regulation of trade unions.

Requires trade unions to be registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions.

Allows workers in the same or similar trades, occupations, or industries to form unions.

International Commitments

Nigeria is a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and has ratified key conventions, including:

ILO Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise)

ILO Convention No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining)

lordm:
I support Dangote on this.
It's not a must to join union, besides Dangote is a private company

Uncle, labour laws is applicable to both private and public sectors, make you get issues with NLC fess🤷🏿

Lol…this country na very funny country…if you get better money abeg just leave this country

aribisala0:
Your first paragraph is not the position of the law in Nigeria
Do some research


Legal Framework Supporting the Right to Unionise in Nigeria:

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended)

Section 40 guarantees freedom of association, which includes the right to form or join trade unions:

“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons… for the protection of his interests, including the right to form or belong to any trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”

The Trade Unions Act (Cap T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004)

Provides the legal framework for the formation, registration, and regulation of trade unions.

Requires trade unions to be registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions.

Allows workers in the same or similar trades, occupations, or industries to form unions.

International Commitments

Nigeria is a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and has ratified key conventions, including:

ILO Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise)

ILO Convention No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining)

Forget am, make comrades get issues with am fess, him mind go touch ground 🤷🏿.

I support both sides. Let the strike begin and let's see who will withdraw first.

updatechange:
Na dis king fight I Dey like… the kind fight wey common man go benefit💯

Dey play..


https://www.nairaland.com/
https://www.nairaland.com/

This country sef.
With fuel close to 900 them still want to go on strike

Dogalmighty17:
NUPENG must not be allowed to blackmail and threaten the government and the economy. Dangote refinery is a private entity and reserves the right to enforce internal conditions as it deems fit.

The only organisation that may even be considered to have a say here is the Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Association of Nigeria and they have told their members to ignore NUPENG and the strike.

NUPENG wants to force unionisation in a private refinery and by so doing will want to dictate to Dangote how to relate with drivers under its employ. That is a no-no. Did NUPENG go after Greenfield gas? Has NUPENG gone after Nigerian breweries, coca cola or Guinness? Does NUPENG dictate to any of these companies that they must enforce unionisation of their drivers? Why is NUPENG insisting that Dangote drivers must unionise?

Dangote has thousands of truck drivers in his sugar, salt, flour and cement companies. Why did NUPENG not bring up the issue of their unionisation all this while? Is it because NUPENG has read the hand writing on the wall and knows that Dangote is about to render them irrelevant? Dangote should call thier bluff.

NUPENG didn't down tools to force government to fix the terrible roads the unions drivers have been forced to use all these years. NUPENG kept looking the other way as hundreds of its drivers lost their lives in the course of delivering products across the country. Now NUPENG claims to have found its voice? Dangote should crush them. NUPENG has held Nigerians hostage for too long.

Unionization is the way. Whether dangote or nott

which FG, the one that couldnt wait to oversee the matter as petroleum minister


did he even hand over

Gotocourt:
Uncle, labour laws is applicable to both private and public sectors, make you get issues with NLC fess🤷🏿

Why most private schools teachers, still earnings pennury ??

They picked a good time for it. Dangote is halting production till November, so this is a good excuse to not pay them while they are not working.

https://www.nairaland.com/8513075/dangote-refinerys-production-halt-into

Dogalmighty17, I agree with you.

Eiyaahhh I pray this meeting goes well oh, even if not for nigerians sake at least for helinues sake

Because I'm wondering what point he will use to claim tilumbu's good governance if petrol becomes scarce tomorrow

budaatum:
They picked a good time for it. Dangote is halting production till November, so this is a good excuse to not pay them while they are not working.

https://www.nairaland.com/8513075/dangote-refinerys-production-halt-into

Dogalmighty17, I agree with you.

I just read the link you posted. We are well and truly f**ked aren't we? Does Dangote have enough products in storage to last till November? Or will we have to rely majorly on imports again.

Nupeng no dey serious oh... Must dangote drivers join your union? It's like saying private universities must join ASUU.... Na still part of ur workers dey smuggle fuel comut for country.... Una no see anything do about that one....
And yeye NLC too wants to join.... Kai labour union is now useless

I support Dangote to some extent, NUPENG is more of armstruggle union than labour welfare oriented.

NLC and hypocrisy, is NLC oblivious of Private Schools Teachers plight in this Country?

U see why I tell u that Nigerians don't want better leaders. All we want is crooks that will favour us..
Look at those people looking for a way to force Dangote to their own way. They are never happy with his intervention with the price. And they have seen an opportunity to strike.
And do you expect sane president to rule us with this imbalance, greedy and selfish behavior.
As cancer is deadly to life. So also CORRUPTION TO A NATION.
To fix it.... life will go for it.
So also

Dogalmighty17:
I just read the link you posted. We are well and truly f**ked aren't we? Does Dangote have enough products in storage to last till November? Or will we have to rely majorly on imports again.

It seems unscheduled, so he could not have prepared for it with product in storage. Meanwhile, some are praising further disruption by Nupeng, like they don't know any increase in cost due to their demands will only add to price of petrol at the pump.

We Nigerians will learn when it hits our pockets. And if we can't afford it, Dangote's market is way more than Nigeria.

https://businessday.ng/business-economy/article/these-4-african-countries-buy-petrol-from-dangote-refineries/

updatechange:
Na dis king fight I Dey like… the kind fight wey common man go benefit💯

To what end would the strike be... Why not negotiate rather than the forceful picketing action to force the hand of Dangote.