NOGASA, NARTO, PETROAN Join NUPENG Strike against Dangote

Three key downstream oil and gas associations—the Natural Oil & Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN)—have announced plans to join the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). Their action is scheduled to begin from midnight today.

NUPENG commenced the strike earlier on Monday following a dispute with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the recruitment of drivers for its new fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks. According to the union, the refinery’s employment terms prevent the drivers from joining existing trade unions. While the industrial action is yet to cause major disruptions, negotiations are expected to take place later today between NUPENG leadership and federal government officials.

At a joint briefing in Abuja, NOGASA’s National President, Benneth Korie, explained that the association’s decision was based on unresolved concerns about distribution opportunities and potential job losses in the sector.

“Our members are particularly worried about the loss of supply opportunities and the impact this could have on livelihoods across the distribution value chain. We requested a meeting with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to discuss these issues, but have yet to receive a response. Given the urgency, we are left with no choice but to align with NUPENG and other stakeholders until the matter is resolved,” Korie said.

Korie also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and facilitate dialogue, while directing NOGASA members to suspend supplies to construction companies, industries, hotels, and telecommunication sites nationwide from September 9.

NARTO’s National President, Yusuf Othman, expressed similar concerns, framing the issue as a struggle against monopolistic practices.

“While we welcome investments such as new trucks into the distribution chain, we cannot accept any plan that sidelines independent operators. NARTO members collectively operate more than 30,000 trucks nationwide, sustaining thousands of jobs and livelihoods. Any attempt to dismantle this structure would threaten energy security and undermine years of investment,” Othman said.

PETROAN’s President, Billy Gillis-Harry, also warned that the refinery’s approach, if not adjusted, could destabilise the downstream oil and gas sector in the long term.