The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has publicly rejected a strike notice from its parent union, NUPENG, citing the action as “insensitive” and “unacceptable.”
The dispute stems from allegations by NUPENG that the Dangote refinery is engaging in anti-labour practices by preventing its newly recruited compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers from joining existing labor unions. NUPENG had called for a nationwide strike to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025, in protest.
However, in a statement released on Friday, the PTD branch called on its members to ignore the directive, arguing that NUPENG’s leadership had failed to explore negotiation and dialogue before resorting to industrial action. “How could NUPENG condescend so low like this that they didn’t even deem it necessary to explore any option of negotiation or stakeholders dialogue before arriving at this?” the PTD statement read.
The PTD further emphasized that union membership is voluntary and expressed support for the Dangote refinery’s plan to import 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, which it views as being in the “best interest of the masses.” The association also cautioned against the use of “violence, threats or arrogance” in industrial relations, stating that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy.
The PTD’s counter-directive highlights a growing internal conflict within the petroleum labor movement, raising questions about the future of a unified front on labour issues in the sector. NUPENG, in its strike notice, had argued that Dangote’s alleged policy of forcing new drivers to sign undertakings not to join existing unions is a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and international labour laws. The union also expressed concern that the large-scale importation of new trucks could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of existing tanker drivers.
This developing situation has prompted calls for the government and regulatory bodies, such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to intervene and mediate the conflict to prevent a potential disruption of fuel supply. As of now, the Dangote Group has not issued a formal response to the allegations.
