Worried about the consequences of the tomorrow’s planned nationwide industrial action announced by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Federal Government has appealed to the Union to reconsider its stance.
NUPENG announced its decision on Friday to embark on industrial action on Monday, September 8, 2025 over its dispute with the Dangote Group, bordering on the company’s anti-union policy.
This decision was also opposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), saying that if allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent where powerful capital could openly defy the laws of Nigeria, enslave workers, and destroy the very foundation of collective bargaining.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, on Sunday appealed to NUPENG to shelve the planned strike in the interest of the nation.
He also pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with the petroleum workers, who are protesting alleged anti-workers and anti-union agenda of the Dangote Group.
Dingyadi, in a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Patience Onuobia, explained that since his Ministry has intervened in the matter, the unions should shelve their plan of shutting down the petroleum industry, with a view to maintaining peace in this highly critical sector of the Nigerian economy.
Dingyadi stated: “I have invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting tomorrow, Monday, September 8, 2025. Since I have intervened, I plead with NUPENG to rescind their decision to shut down the petroleum sector from tomorrow. I also appeal to the NLC to withdraw the red alert it issued to its affiliate unions to be on standby for a nationwide strike in solidarity with NUPENG.
“The petroleum sector is very important to this country. It constitutes the core of the country’s economy. A strike in the petroleum sector, even for just a day, will have an adverse consequential impact on the economy. It will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country, running into billions of Naira, but also cause untold hardship and difficulties for Nigerians.
“Hence, I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. I assure them that this matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.”
The Minister also assures Nigerians that the dispute will be resolved harmoniously to ensure that no disruption occurs in the petroleum sector, which is vital to the Nigerian economy.
