The Federal Government on Monday waded into the ongoing standoff between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group by summoning a high-level closed-door meeting with labour leaders and company representatives in Abuja.

The intervention comes amid growing fears of a nationwide industrial action that could disrupt petroleum supply across the country. The crisis erupted after NUPENG accused Dangote Group of preventing drivers of compressed natural gas (CNG) tankers and other distribution workers from joining recognised labour unions.

The union described the move as a deliberate attempt to stifle workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. NUPENG had last week declared an indefinite strike beginning September 8, warning that its members would not sit back while their rights were undermined.

Dangote Group, however, has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that many of the affected drivers are not direct employees but independent contractors. According to the company, its operational structure is based on a modernised distribution model that cannot be treated in the same manner as traditional employment contracts.

This argument has remained the central point of disagreement, with both parties holding firm to their positions. The dispute has drawn wider support from other organised labour bodies. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have all thrown their weight behind NUPENG, describing the matter as a test case for workers’ rights in the oil and gas industry. Labour leaders warned that if Dangote is allowed to operate without recognising union membership, it could embolden other large employers to disregard labour laws.

Concerned by the escalating tension, the Ministry of Labour and Employment convened the closed-door meeting on Monday. The Minister of Labour, along with the Minister of State for Labour, appealed to both sides to embrace dialogue and prioritise the national interest. Government officials cautioned that a nationwide strike by NUPENG would paralyse fuel distribution, disrupt hospitals, ground manufacturing operations, and worsen power supply challenges in cities that depend on generators.

During the meeting, the Federal Government proposed the establishment of a joint conciliation committee to investigate the employment status of drivers, examine contractor agreements, and ensure that any worker who wishes to join a union is not victimised. NUPENG and other labour leaders welcomed the idea but insisted that firm, written commitments must be secured before any industrial action is suspended.

Dangote representatives agreed to cooperate with verification processes but stressed that the company must retain its business model and operational flexibility. Deliberations extended late into the evening, with both sides struggling to reconcile differences. While the talks did not produce a final resolution, they signaled the government’s determination to prevent a strike that could trigger widespread economic and social disruptions.

Analysts warn that the next 72 hours will be critical. Should negotiations collapse, labour unions could escalate the standoff into a nationwide strike, crippling fuel distribution and shaking investor confidence. On the other hand, a successful compromise could set a precedent for handling similar disputes between large private conglomerates and organised labour in Nigeria’s evolving economy.

For now, the government has appealed for restraint and urged NUPENG to hold off on industrial action while discussions continue, with the hope that dialogue will produce a balanced solution acceptable to both parties.