Nigerians may witness the return of long queues at petrol stations soon if threats by operators who lift petroleum products from depots are not addressed.
This is because Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the NigeriaUion of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will from Monday, September 8, 2025 withdraw their services, if disagreements over the planned deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)- powered trucks for nationwide product distribution remains unresolved.
In a statement on Friday, jointly signed by Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary, NUPENG accused the management of Dangote Refinery of alleged anti-labour practices, inimical to the survival and means of livelihoods of its members under its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch.
The Union specifically expressed strong reservations about the position of Chairman of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote that drivers recruited for operations of its 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, Trucks imported into the country would not be allowed to join any trade union.
The union described the position taken by the management of Dangote Refinery as an affront on the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The statement reads partly: “We call on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority, the Authority, for short, to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“The Authority has responsibility to identify, investigate and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices with regard to midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“Nigeria is a member of the international community and a State member in the International Labour Organisation. Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948.
“This Convention had been ratified by Nigeria, as far back as 17th October 1960. Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorization of any employer or authority.
“Indeed, by virtue of section 254C (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, a ratified ILO Convention is a constitutional provision.
The union said it is concerned that the new system could displace thousands of its members from their current roles in the oil and gas transport sector.
The union described such a policy as inconsistent with labour rights and called on relevant government agencies to intervene.
“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, its regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to urgently wade into this matter,” the statement read.
NUPENG further warned that if the issue is not addressed, the planned strike action would affect the lifting and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
The union appealed to Nigerians to understand and bear with any inconveniences that may arise during the industrial action, insisting its action is aimed at protecting the welfare and rights of its members.
