Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has reassured citizens that the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will not lead to a fuel shortage, despite disruptions in some parts of the country.

The strike, initiated on Monday, September 8, 2025, by tanker drivers affiliated with NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch, has affected several fuel depots, leading to temporary closures at key distribution points. NUPENG claims that some Dangote-employed drivers are being prevented from joining the union, a charge the company has rejected.

In response to the labor action, Dangote has deployed its own fleet of drivers to maintain the flow of petroleum products to major markets, emphasizing that refinery operations remain fully functional. Spokesman Anthony Chiejina stated on Tuesday, “There is no fuel shortage, and operations are continuing smoothly.

We are engaging with both the union and government authorities to resolve the situation amicably.” He further stressed that Dangote maintains fair employment practices and that no employee is being denied the right to union membership. Africa’s largest refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has significant reserves of petrol and other petroleum products, enabling it to sustain supply even during periods of labor unrest.

Industry insiders note that Dangote currently holds hundreds of millions of liters of petrol in storage, sufficient to meet Nigeria’s daily demand while mitigating potential shortages. Despite these assurances, the strike has affected fuel availability at some stations in states such as Lagos and Sokoto, where union compliance has been high.

The industrial action has also drawn attention and support from other labor unions and international worker organizations, highlighting ongoing tensions in the nation’s petroleum sector. In a bid to strengthen its distribution network, Dangote Refinery is advancing plans to deploy compressed natural gas-powered trucks for nationwide fuel delivery.

While logistical challenges have delayed the project, the refinery remains committed to ensuring a stable supply chain across Nigeria. Analysts argue that Dangote’s strategic stockpiling and deployment of company-owned transport vehicles have minimized the risk of a nationwide fuel crisis. Government agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, working alongside the refinery and union leaders to achieve a sustainable resolution to the dispute.

At present, Dangote Refinery operations continue uninterrupted, and the company reiterates that the strike, though disruptive in certain regions, will not trigger a national fuel shortage. Negotiations remain ongoing, with all parties seeking an equitable solution that safeguards both labor rights and uninterrupted fuel distribution for Nigerians.