From Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos; Idowu Isamotu and Faruk Shuaibu
As tensions rise over the strike declared by petroleum tanker drivers under the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the federal government has urged the union to reconsider its stance.
The government specifically called on the NUPENG leadership to give the government a listening ear regarding how the issue it has with Dangote Group would be resolved in national interest.
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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, made the plea at the headquarters of the ministry while playing host to representatives of NUPENG at a meeting he summoned.
Daily Trust reports that the petroleum workers under NUPENG's umbrella scheduled a strike over a dispute with the Dangote Group.
They threatened to stop fuel loading from Monday, September 8, over an ongoing dispute with the management of the Dangote Refinery.
The union said the conflict stemmed from the refinery's plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct distribution of fuel to retailers.
According to NUPENG, the scheme would displace thousands of its members and undermine their right to unionize.
Daily Trust reports that the direct fuel distribution initiative by Dangote refinery has been generating disquiet in the sector with Dangote pushing on with the initiative with some of the CNG trucks already in the country.
NUPENG strike borders on the company's policy against unionisation by its employees, with NUPENG insisting that no oil worker will work with Dangote group without being unionised.
The union, while protesting alleged anti-workers and anti-union agenda of the Dangote Group, argued that the company's policy was meant to enslave the oil workers it employed to render critical services in its refinery.
FG's summon
However, Dingyadi summoned an emergency meeting for 10:00 am on Monday but the meeting did not start until 5:22pm.
Our Correspondent reports that while the NUPENG's representatives were led by its President and General Secretary, Williams Akporeha, and Olawale Afolabi, respectively, the government representatives were led by the Minister.
Speaking before the meeting went into a closed-door session, the minister said the oil sector is not something the government can play with if it doesn't want economic instability in the country.
He said, "We are here to try and reconcile our labour unions in the oil industry and the employers in Dangote Group. This is not the first time we are having this kind of dispute.
"We believe that by the time we sit down with parties involved, we should be able to settle them, we should be able to resolve the issues within the limits of what is possible."
As of the time of filing this report, the meeting with the unions was still ongoing as both parties could not conclude on the resolutions of the meeting.
Representatives of Dangote Refinery were also at the meeting and part of the proposal, it was learnt, was the decision of the company to allow unionisation of the newly recruited workers.
"But there was no resolution yet, the meeting is still on," a source said last night.
NUPENG shuts filling stations
Daily Trust learnt that following the declaration of strike by the union, it has mobilised its members and affiliates across the country with reports indicating that some filling stations were shut in some parts of the North.
Also in the South, it was observed that some major filling stations in Lagos were shut as observed by our correspondent on Monday while motorists were engaging in panic buying at some filling stations dispensing.
In Delta State, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) who had earlier vowed to join the strike and NUPENG members shut filling stations in the state while threatening N5m fine on defaulters.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) and Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have vowed to join forces with NUPENG.
PENGASSAN specifically said it is in full support of the NUPENG's ongoing efforts to secure the rights of tanker drivers who are currently being hired at the Dangote Refinery.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, the association said the development arose after diplomatic efforts to persuade the company's management yielded no desired result.
"On behalf of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), we are writing to express our unwavering solidarity with our ally and sister union, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in their ongoing efforts to secure the rights of tanker drivers who are currently being hired at the Dangote Refinery.
"We wish to put on record that Dangote refinery management has been resisting potential members of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG from joining the Association since its inception.
Speaking during a joint press conference on Monday, the President of NOGASA, Bennett Korie, directed suppliers of petroleum products to end users, such as telecom communications sites, hotels, and construction companies, among others to stop supplies by 9 am tomorrow if the dialogue initiated by the federal government fails.
Korie said the associations are worried about the loss of supply opportunities and job losses that could jeopardize the livelihood of those involved across the distribution value chain when Dangote begins direct supply.
While they emphasised they are proud of the refinery's role in reshaping Nigeria's petroleum industry, they said their members have raised concerns regarding the effect of Dangote's move.
"It is thereby directed that all oil and gas suppliers to all construction companies, industries, hotels, and telecommunications sites nationwide should withdraw their services with effect from tomorrow, 9 September 2025, pending when the matter is resolved. I repeat, withdraw their services from tomorrow. We resolutely appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and facilitate a dialogue between downstream sector distribution stakeholders and Dangote Refinery so that we move forward to avoid further destruction of petroleum products to Nigerians."
On his part, the National President of PETROAN, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, said those applauding Dangote are not aware the trucks will only provide a short-term benefit.
"So 4,000 trucks will go to 4,000 stations, and how much, how long will that take place? So we need to ask ourselves the question: did we not see the same trucks loading our cement to the various cement kiosks across the country? Has it reduced the price? So, we need to protect this industry so that our energy security will be guaranteed."
DAPPMAN urges parties to sheathe swords, embrace dialogue
Meanwhile, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called for calm and dialogue in the oil and gas industry over the strike by petroleum tanker drivers.
Speaking through its Executive Secretary, Olufemi A. Adewole DAPPMAN expressed "deep concern over the rising tension within the downstream oil and gas industry and the possibility of an industrial action that could disrupt national petroleum supply and distribution."
In a statement the group stated that as "responsible stakeholders in this vital sector of the Nigerian economy", it recognised the central importance of industrial harmony to the stability of the industry, the protection of jobs, and the sustenance of revenues accruable to the nation.
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It said, "The potential impact of any strike on ordinary Nigerians, businesses, and government finances cannot be overstated.
"DAPPMAN therefore appeals to all parties involved to exercise utmost restraint and embrace constructive dialogue as the most effective means of resolving disagreements.
"In particular, DAPPMAN calls for the urgent intervention of the Federal Government in addressing the concerns of all aggrieved persons. We firmly believe that engagement at the roundtable will yield lasting solutions and prevent avoidable disruptions in the sector.
"Our Association's consistent position has always been to collaborate with government, labour unions, investors, and other critical stakeholders, to create a win-win situation that sustains investment, protects workers' rights, and guarantees uninterrupted supply of petroleum products nationwide.
"We humbly urge all parties to sheath their swords, avoid actions that could escalate the situation, and allow room for negotiations that will address concerns in a fair, balanced, and sustainable manner.
"The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria remains committed to playing a constructive role in facilitating peace, cooperation, and progress in the oil and gas sector for the ultimate benefit of Nigeria and her citizens."
Nigerians back Dangote
In a related development, some Nigerians on social media have rallied behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, backing the fuel distribution scheme of the refinery.
Those who took to their social media accounts expressed concerns over what they called the dominance of the unions.
Dr. Tosan Harriman speaking on X said, "For a very long time it is obvious @officialNUPENG9 is spoiling for war over their restricted role in the present dynamics. They don't think about the people, just themselves."
