Fuel Scarcity Looms as NUPENG Set to Begin Nationwide Strike Monday

Nigeria may be thrown into another round of fuel scarcity as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike beginning Monday, September 8, 2025.

The union disclosed this in a statement on Friday, jointly signed by its National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale. According to NUPENG, the decision followed unresolved disputes over what it described as “anti-union labour practices” linked to the deployment of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by Dangote Refinery.

NUPENG alleged that the introduction of the trucks was being used to sideline unionized workers in the downstream petroleum sector, a development it warned would not be tolerated.

“We can no longer fold our arms while our members are systematically pushed out of relevance in the industry through policies and practices that undermine labour rights. Our patience has been overstretched, and we are now compelled to take this painful decision in the interest of our members,” the statement read in part.

The strike, if carried out, is expected to disrupt the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, heightening fears of long queues at filling stations and possible price hikes.

Industry watchers note that the development could further worsen the country’s fragile energy situation, coming at a time when Nigerians are still grappling with high living costs and intermittent fuel shortages.

Efforts to reach officials of the Dangote Refinery for comments were unsuccessful as of press time. Meanwhile, NUPENG has urged the Federal Government to intervene immediately to prevent a nationwide crisis.