The much-anticipated dialogue between the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Dangote Group, and other key players in the oil and gas sector ended on Monday without resolution, raising fresh fears of prolonged fuel scarcity.
The meeting, which was expected to reconcile the dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group, dragged for hours but failed to produce a concrete agreement. It was initially slated for 3pm but did not commence until around 5pm.
Although government officials have kept sealed lips on the outcome, industry sources disclosed that discussions were inconclusive. “Details are still sketchy. However, it appears no agreement has been reached yet. More clarity may come on Tuesday,” a stakeholder told reporters.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, while stressing the importance of the engagement, said government was committed to resolving disputes in the oil industry. “This is not the first time we are handling such issues,” he noted before the session began.
Meanwhile, NUPENG pressed ahead with its strike on Monday, shutting down key depots and filling stations in Lagos and Warri. The action has already triggered transport fare hikes in Warri, while residents in Abuja still bought petrol at between N885 and N910 per litre on Monday night. Some outlets, like Empire Filling Station, sold as high as N950 per litre.
The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, urged both parties to embrace dialogue in the interest of the public, warning that prolonged confrontation could worsen the already harsh economic realities.
The situation is further complicated as other unions in the downstream sector — including the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) — have threatened to join the strike if the impasse persists.
NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, has consistently accused Dangote Group of pursuing anti-labour practices, particularly in its plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for nationwide fuel distribution. He alleged the move was designed to undermine workers’ rights, a claim the company has strongly denied.
