The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a strike notice, which the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have encouraged its members to disregard.
NUPENG announced yesterday September 5 that employees will stop using their tools and begin looking for other work starting on September 8.
The union said that the decision was made in response to the Dangote refinery’s purported ban on its CNG truck drivers “joining labour unions.”
The PTD rejected the union’s directive in a statement on Friday, calling it “insensitive.”
“This is a clarion call to all Petroleum Tanker Drivers across Nigeria to please ignore the strike notice issued by NUPENG leadership. The purported notice suggested that the industrial action will take effect on Monday, September 8, 2025, this is obviously insensitive, callous, and unacceptable,” the statement reads.
“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?”
According to PTD, unions should be socially conscious rather than self-serving, which is “capable of ruining the socio-economic accomplishments of the nation.”
The petrol tankers drivers union argued that membership is entirely voluntary everywhere in the world.
Fuel scarcity looms as NUPENG threatens complete shutdown over Dangote’s anti-union stance on CNG tanker drivers
The group claims that the Dangote refinery’s proposal to import 4,000 vehicles with compressed natural gas engines to provide fuel directly to retailers “is in good shape and in the best interest of the masses.”
“Negotiations and symbiotic relationships cannot be reached through violence, threats or arrogance, Nigeria is governed under constitutional democracy, these union leaders should note that very carefully,” the PTD said.
Additionally, according to the association, NUPENG has not succeeded in promoting unity and peace within the business through its initiatives.
