The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday halted fuel loading operations at depots across the country, intensifying its dispute with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over alleged restrictions on workers’ unionisation.

The move came as marathon talks convened by the federal government to resolve the standoff dragged late into the night without an agreement. The reconciliation meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, brought together NUPENG executives, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and officials of Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.

The session, co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammed Dingyadi and Minister of State Nkeiru Onyejeocha, began hours behind schedule due to the late arrival of union leaders. Although a draft memorandum of understanding was presented for adoption, sources said disagreements over key resolutions stalled progress as of 10:15 pm.

Meanwhile, NUPENG enforced full compliance with its strike directive. Petroleum tanker drivers parked their trucks at depots in Lagos, Warri, and other locations, while filling stations in Sokoto and several states were shut. Eyewitnesses reported barricades on major roads, raising fears of looming fuel scarcity.

NUPENG President Williams Akporeha confirmed the action was nationwide, saying members had rejected alleged attempts by Dangote to bar newly recruited tanker drivers from joining the union. Some union members also accused Dangote and MRS of moves to replace them with fresh recruits.

The strike disrupted operations at facilities including the Aradel refinery in Port Harcourt and the Kwale Hydrocarbon plant in Delta State. Depots belonging to companies such as RainOil, Shell+, First Royal, and Matrix also shut down.

In Sokoto, residents expressed concern over rising transport fares after stations were locked. “If this continues, transport fares will go up, and it will affect everybody,” a tricycle operator told reporters.

The crisis has drawn solidarity from other industry unions. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) warned it could shut refinery operations if workers’ union rights were not recognised. “All diplomatic efforts have failed,” said General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, stressing that unionisation is a fundamental labour right.

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) also threatened to withdraw services if no resolution is reached.

NOGASA President Bennett Korie directed members supplying fuel to telecoms, hotels, and construction firms to halt deliveries from Tuesday. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry also instructed members to suspend sales if the strike persists.

However, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) called for calm. Its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, urged all parties to urgently resolve the crisis, warning that prolonged disruption could destabilise the nation’s fuel supply chain.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing dispute over unionisation rights at the Dangote Refinery.

NUPENG had on Sunday announced plans to halt fuel loading nationwide beginning Monday, citing allegations that the refinery intends to prevent newly recruited drivers for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.

In a statement issued on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, declared the association’s “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, stressing that the right of workers to unionise must not be undermined.

The senior staff union warned that if the impasse lingers, it could be compelled to take drastic measures, including shutting down operations at the refinery. “Should the situation persist without resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” the statement read.

PENGASSAN accused the refinery management of resisting union membership drives since inception despite multiple interventions. It noted that workers had been repeatedly denied access to both senior and junior staff associations, describing the stance as unacceptable.

The association insisted that NUPENG’s demand for full unionisation across the refinery and its affiliates aligns with Nigeria’s labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. It stressed that freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental rights that safeguard workers’ dignity, safety, and welfare.

While reiterating its support for NUPENG, PENGASSAN urged stakeholders to engage in urgent dialogue to avert disruptions in the oil and gas sector. “Failure to respect workers’ rights will have consequences beyond Dangote Refinery, affecting the entire industry,” it cautioned.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned all parties to a reconciliation meeting in Abuja as government moves to defuse the crisis.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says that the Federal Government’s intervention in the dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery is beginning to produce constructive outcomes.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry confirmed that progress had been made through government engagements with key stakeholders and regulators in the downstream sector. These consultations are aimed at averting the planned industrial action centred on Dangote’s downstream operations.

Gillis-Harry highlighted concerns that Dangote Refinery’s push into refining, storage, logistics, and retail could marginalise existing players, including independent marketers and depot owners. PETROAN has therefore called for a stakeholder roundtable to define roles and ensure inclusive industry participation.

He emphasized the importance of union representation across all retail outlets to maintain pricing discipline and prevent exploitation. Without such measures, he warned that consumers could face variable pricing, with disparities of up to 150% between outlets.

In response to the ongoing tension, PETROAN announced a potential three-day suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing starting Tuesday, September 9, if no agreement is reached. The measure was intended as leverage to prompt dialogue rather than disrupt supply.