Nigeria faces an imminent fuel crisis as the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) continued its strike on Tuesday, following the collapse of negotiations between the Federal Government, labour unions, and the Dangote Group.
The strike, which began Monday, has halted fuel loading at depots across the country. Though its impact was not immediately felt by motorists, stakeholders warned that prolonged shutdowns could soon trigger widespread scarcity.
Talks broke down late Monday in Abuja after Sayyu Dantata, representing the Dangote Group, reportedly walked out on Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and union leaders during discussions over workers’ rights at the Dangote Refinery.
“There are issues we have not been able to reach a final agreement on,” Dingyadi admitted after the meeting, adding that discussions would continue.
But union leaders accused Dangote of frustrating negotiations.
“Even when we bent backwards to accommodate his uncompromising behaviour, he still walked out. We are left with no option but to do the needful. The strike action continues,” said Benson Upah, Acting Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha alleged that Dangote was seeking to “enslave” workers by banning refinery truck drivers from joining the union.
“We cannot stand by and see an investor monopolise not just the system but even the workers. Nigerians have wished him well, but we will not allow him to enslave them,” Akporeha said.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also threatened to suspend fuel dispensing within three days, citing opposition to market monopoly.
Reports from Rivers, Lagos, and Warri confirmed full compliance with NUPENG’s directive, as depots shut their gates. In Rivers State, signs of product scarcity were already emerging by Monday night.
With 100 percent compliance nationwide, union leaders say the strike will continue until their demands are addressed, raising fears of long queues and price hikes at filling stations in the coming days.
