Nigerians can finally heave a sigh of relief as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Tuesday suspended its two-day nationwide strike after a decisive meeting with the Federal Government and the Dangote Group. The resolution brought respite to millions of citizens who had endured biting fuel shortages, inflated pump prices, and skyrocketing transport fares.
For 48 hours, the impact of the standoff was felt across the country. Filling stations in several states shut their gates, while those dispensing fuel adjusted pump prices to record highs. In Enugu, Kaduna, and Calabar, transport fares surged by more than 50 percent, forcing many commuters to trek long distances or remain stranded.
In Calabar, resident Mary Archibong lamented the situation, saying: “From Watt to Roundabout used to be ₦300, but now it’s ₦500. Drivers are buying from the black market at ₦1,500 per litre. It’s very bad because everybody is affected.”
The industrial action was triggered by allegations that the Dangote Refinery barred drivers employed for its fleet of 4,000 trucks from joining recognised oil and gas unions. NUPENG accused the company of sponsoring an alternative drivers’ association to weaken union influence, describing the move as unlawful.
However, after an exhaustive reconciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the refinery’s management agreed to respect workers’ rights. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, mandating that unionisation commence immediately and conclude by September 22, 2025. The agreement also guaranteed that no employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals would face victimisation for joining a union.
The MoU was endorsed by key stakeholders, including NUPENG President Williams Akporeha, Dangote executive Sayyu Dantata, labour ministry officials, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The strike’s suspension brought immediate relief in areas where economic activities had ground to a halt. In Kaduna, major filling stations like NNPC Mega, Total, and Mobil remained locked until late Tuesday, pushing motorists to buy fuel from independent marketers at prices as high as ₦950 per litre. In Enugu and Anambra, bus fares doubled overnight. A trip from Garriki to New Market jumped from ₦300 to ₦500, while in Onitsha and Awka, transporters lamented that intra-state travel had become nearly unaffordable.
Even Lagos and Ogun states were not spared, as panic buying returned, with long queues snaking through depots and retail outlets.
Addressing reporters, NUPENG President Akporeha stressed that the strike was not designed to cripple Dangote’s operations but to defend workers’ rights. “Everybody wants Dangote to succeed, including NUPENG. But he must play by the rules. No employer has the right to enslave workers,” he declared.
With the suspension now in effect, the loading of petroleum products is expected to resume by Wednesday, restoring stability to Nigeria’s fragile fuel supply chain. Yet, for many citizens, the two-day ordeal was a stark reminder of how quickly labour disputes in the oil and gas sector can disrupt daily survival.
Report by: Ubi Komonmo | Edited by: Chris Odjomah