By Sarah Sam Adda
Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Productivity, Muhammad Dingyadi, has urged the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), to suspend its planned nationwide strike over alleged anti-union practices by the Dangote Group.
He also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to withdraw its red alert to affiliate unions, assuring that government intervention was in motion to resolve the dispute peacefully.
Despite the minister’s appeal, NUPENG President Williams Akporeha confirmed that a decisive meeting would take place at 3:00 p.m. today in Abuja to determine whether the industrial action will proceed.
The NLC has thrown its support behind NUPENG, accusing the Dangote Group of poor labour practices, including low wages and harsh treatment of employees.
It demanded immediate unionisation across Dangote entities and called on the Federal Government to compel Aliko Dangote and Sayyu Dantata to comply with labour laws and international conventions.
The NLC also placed its nationwide structures on red alert for potential solidarity actions.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), rejected NUPENG’s strike directive, describing it as “insensitive” and urging drivers across the country to ignore the notice.
PTD leaders criticised NUPENG for not exhausting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and emphasised that union membership is voluntary.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is also divided. While its Western Zone announced a total shutdown in solidarity with NUPENG, citing violations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the national leadership dissociated itself from the strike.
IPMAN urged members to disregard the directive, noting that Dangote’s initiatives could relieve drivers from multiple levies imposed by tanker unions.
As the oil sector braces for possible disruptions, stakeholders await the outcome of today’s meeting, which could determine whether the dispute escalates into a nationwide industrial action affecting fuel supply and economic activity.
