Esther Salifu
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced plans to commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, citing alleged anti-union practices linked to Dangote Refinery’s deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
In a statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed concerns over the recruitment process for drivers of Dangote’s newly imported CNG trucks.
The statement reads The recruitment being carried out on the condition of not joining existing unions is a matter of serious concern to us,”
“This requirement does not align with Nigeria’s Constitution, labour legislation, or international conventions on freedom of association.”
NUPENG recalled that on June 14, 2025, Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced plans to import 10,000 CNG trucks for nationwide distribution of petroleum and diesel products. Subsequently, NUPENG and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) met with Dangote’s representative, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, on June 23, 2025, where they were informed that the trucks would operate under a new arrangement excluding existing trade unions.
The union alleged that recruitment for drivers began on August 29, 2025, with applicants reportedly required to sign undertakings not to join oil and gas industry unions, a move it described as a violation of workers’ rights.
Citing Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, and Nigeria’s ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 87, NUPENG emphasized that these actions infringe upon workers’ rights to freedom of association.
“Having exhausted all available avenues of dialogue, we are left with no option but to embark on a nationwide industrial action beginning Monday, September 8, 2025,” the union declared.
