The Federal Government has stepped in to prevent a nationwide strike planned by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its dispute with the Dangote Group. The strike, scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025, arises from allegations that the refinery enforces an anti-union policy on its workforce.
Government Appeals for Restraint
Confirming the intervention on Sunday, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi announced that he had summoned all parties to a conciliation meeting in Abuja. He appealed to NUPENG to suspend its strike action and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” it issued to affiliate unions in solidarity with petroleum workers.
Furthermore, Dingyadi warned that shutting down the petroleum sector, even for a single day, would severely hurt the economy. He explained that such action could result in the loss of billions of naira in revenue, disrupt supply chains, and impose widespread hardship on Nigerians who rely on petroleum for transportation, power, and daily business operations. “The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the economy. A strike, even for just a day, will have an adverse impact,” he cautioned.
Uncertainty Ahead of Conciliation
In addition, the minister stressed that the government had already taken steps to open dialogue and expressed confidence that the dispute could be resolved amicably. He urged both labour leaders and the Dangote Group to embrace negotiation over confrontation, describing peaceful resolution as the only sustainable path forward.
Nevertheless, uncertainty persists over whether NUPENG will accept the government’s plea. The union maintains that Dangote’s labour practices undermine workers’ rights and set a dangerous precedent for the wider industry. Meanwhile, observers believe the outcome of this standoff could reshape industrial relations in the downstream oil sector, especially as the Dangote Refinery expands its role in domestic fuel supply.