The federal government has intervened in the brewing dispute between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery, urging the union to postpone its planned nationwide strike set for Monday, September 8, 2025.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed on Sunday that he has called for a conciliation meeting involving all parties tomorrow in Abuja. The move comes amid tensions over allegations that Dangote Group has policies discouraging union activities among its workers.
In a statement released by Patience Onuobia, the ministry’s head of information and public relations, Dingyadi appealed to NUPENG to suspend its planned shutdown of petroleum operations. He also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to retract the “red alert” issued to its affiliate unions in support of the oil workers.
“The petroleum sector is central to Nigeria’s economy. Any industrial action, even for a single day, could cause significant revenue losses and widespread hardship for citizens,” Dingyadi said.
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating a peaceful resolution, assuring that efforts will be made to reach an outcome acceptable to both labour and the private refinery.
“All stakeholders are encouraged to maintain peace while the government mediates a solution that satisfies everyone involved,” he added.
The emergency meeting marks the federal government’s proactive approach to avoid disruptions in the critical petroleum sector, which remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic stability.
