The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has elucidated that it is initiating a strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, due to claims that Dangote Refinery and its management are attempting to restore servitude within Nigeria’s labor force.
The union articulated its stance in a statement disseminated on Sunday, bearing the signatures of Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olufemi, President and General Secretary, respectively.
Last week, NUPENG called upon its members to cease work in response to the anti-labor tactics employed by Dangote Refinery.
Nevertheless, various stakeholders, including the Petrol Tanker Drivers and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association, DTCDA, have expressed vigorous opposition to NUPENG’s intended strike.
In a subsequent update on Sunday, NUPENG firmly maintained that groups backed by Dangote cannot obstruct its forthcoming strike action.
According to NUPENG, DTCDA is the recruiting entity established by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the 10,000 CNG trucks that are currently being imported.
The union dismissed DTCDA as an unauthorized association for tanker drivers.
“For the public’s knowledge, the DTCDA is the association that the Dangote Group of Companies has mandated drivers to join, rather than permitting them to affiliate with NUPENG, which is the singular duly recognized union tasked with representing petroleum tanker drivers.
“Servitude was abolished centuries ago, yet some unscrupulous capitalists are striving to reinstate it. Any worker deprived of the right to associate is no better than a slave.
“Ordinary Nigerians should neither advocate for nor condone oppressive working conditions,” portions of the statement conveyed.
