Strike: FG in crucial meeting with Dangote, NUPENG

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has said that the oil industry is too vital to Nigeria’s economy to be subjected to industrial unrest or corporate policies that threaten peace and stability.

Dingyadi stated this in his opening remark at the commencement of a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Government to end the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) against the Dangote Group.

The meeting, which commenced at about 5:15 p.m., was attended by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of NUPENG, as well as leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

NUPENG’s declared an indefinite strike over what it described as Dangote Group’s anti-union practices, specifically the alleged refusal to allow tanker drivers employed by the company to join the union.

Speaking before the meeting went behind closed doors, Dingyadi emphasised the urgent need for restraint and constructive dialogue, stressing that the dispute had far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economy and citizens.

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“The oil industry is not a sector that we play with. It is very important to the economy of our country and to our people,” he said. “I want to appeal to all parties to come to this negotiation table with open minds, listening ears, and a commitment to finding common ground. Only by accommodating each other’s views can we reach a resolution that will prevent disruption and protect our national interest.”

The Labour Minister described the dispute as deeply concerning, given the essential role of the oil and gas sector in sustaining the nation’s revenue, energy supply, and transportation systems. He urged both NUPENG and the Dangote Group to avoid escalating tensions and to consider the hardship that a nationwide shutdown of petroleum distribution would cause millions of Nigerians.

“What we are discussing today is very, very important to the peace and stability of our country,” Dingyadi said, adding that the government was determined to mediate fairly while upholding the rights of workers and the operational concerns of employers.

NUPENG’s decision to embark on the strike followed weeks of failed negotiations with Dangote Group. The union accused the conglomerate of introducing policies that violate the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and international labour conventions by allegedly preventing workers, particularly truck drivers, from exercising their right to freedom of association and union membership.

The NLC and TUC have thrown their weight behind NUPENG, warning that the issue goes beyond a single company and strikes at the heart of labour rights in the country.

The Dangote Group has denied the allegations, insisting that it respects workers’ rights and operates in line with Nigerian labour laws. The company claims that an alternative drivers’ association, which is not affiliated with NUPENG, has been established to represent the interests of its workforce. However, NUPENG has dismissed the move as a ploy to weaken organized labour and maintain control over employees.

Petroleum retailers under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have also expressed concern over the dispute, with some threatening to suspend operations if the matter is not quickly resolved.

As at the time of filling this report, discussions were still ongoing.