FG, NUPENG Meeting on Strike Threat Ends in Stalemate

By Joseph Iyaji on 09/09/25 • ( Leave a comment )

FG, NUPENG Meeting on Strike Threat Ends in Stalemate

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Join Akahi News VIP WhatsApp Channel for Breaking News Alerts, Direct to Your Phone

The much-anticipated meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday evening ended without a resolution, leaving Nigeria on the brink of a nationwide industrial strike that could cripple the already fragile economy.

Delayed Start, High Stakes

Take your QuickBooks, Sage 50 to the Cloud with McSea Cloud Hosting. Call 08024504321.

Akahi News gathered that the meeting, originally scheduled for 10:00 a.m., was delayed for several hours due to the late arrival of NUPENG officials and eventually commenced around 5:30 p.m. at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity in Abuja. The gathering was convened to avert a looming strike by oil workers following allegations of unfair labour practices and anti-union activities within the sector.

Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and Minister of State for Labour Nkeiru Onyejeocha jointly chaired the talks, which also had in attendance officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as top executives from Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.

CRUSH OAU POST UTME, OAU PRE-DEGREE, OAU JUPEB At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife. Call 08038644328.

Union Alleges Anti-Union Practices

NUPENG has consistently accused the Dangote Refinery and its associates of engaging in “crude and dangerous anti-union practices, a monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies.” The union further alleges that drivers of imported CNG trucks are barred from joining any industry unions, while workers in the refinery reportedly receive some of the lowest wages in the sector.

According to NUPENG, these practices violate Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Talks Collapse After Hours of Deliberation

After nearly seven hours of intense negotiations, Akahi News learnt that the meeting ended in a stalemate as no agreement was reached. Sources disclosed that the Dangote delegation staged a walkout following disagreements over unionisation rights and wage structures.

With the deadlock, NUPENG has vowed to press ahead with its planned industrial action, while sister unions such as PENGASSAN, NARTO, and PETROAN have signalled possible solidarity support should the dispute remain unresolved.

Economic Implications

Analysts warn that a full-scale strike in the petroleum sector could severely disrupt fuel supply chains, leading to scarcity, price hikes, and further economic instability. The Federal Government has yet to announce any alternative measures as negotiations remain suspended.