The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced plans to halt fuel loading operations across Nigeria starting Monday, September 8, 2025, citing a dispute with Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery located in Lagos.
The disagreement centers on Dangote Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for fuel distribution. NUPENG claims the refinery intends to hire drivers on the condition that they do not join any union, a practice the union argues violates workers’ constitutional rights.
In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the country’s largest trade union federation, expressed solidarity with NUPENG. NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero described the alleged practices as “crude and dangerous” and warned that continued anti-union policies could escalate into broader industrial action.
