Fuel Scarcity Looms as NUPENG Declares Nationwide Strike Monday

Fuel wahala fit burst across Nigeria as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) don announce say dem go begin nationwide strike from Monday, September 8, 2025.

The union, for statement wey National President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale sign, talk say the action na because of anti-union labour practices wey dem link to Dangote Refinery new plan to deploy plenty Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.

According to NUPENG, Dangote first announce on June 14, 2025 say e dey bring in 4,000 CNG trucks to distribute fuel and diesel across Nigeria, later increase am to 10,000. At first, people hail am as big investment, but wahala begin when stakeholders like the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) complain say the arrangement no favour existing unions.

Meeting wey happen on June 23, 2025, between NUPENG, NARTO, and Dangote rep Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, reveal say the trucks go dey operate under new system wey no recognise unions.

Matter come worse on August 29, 2025, when recruitment of new drivers start. Applicants dey forced to sign agreement say dem no go join any union inside oil and gas sector.

NUPENG vex say this kain condition dey against workers’ rights. Dem quote Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, plus Nigeria ratification of ILO Convention No. 87, wey all guarantee freedom of association.

The union also call on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) make dem use power wey dem get under Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) stop this kain restrictive practice for the oil sector.

Since several meetings with government no yield result, NUPENG say strike na the only option wey remain.

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“This strike no be to punish Nigerians,” the statement read. “Na to protect workers’ rights and make sure say downstream petroleum industry dey fair and competitive.”

NUPENG beg Nigerians make dem understand the action, and also call on other labour unions like Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to join body for solidarity.

Meanwhile, dem don even advise Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch members to dey reason alternative work or skills training if the wahala continue for long.