Federal Government has called on National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to shelve its nationwide strike slated to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Gatekeepers News reports that FG warned that any shutdown of the petroleum sector would further cripple the country’s fragile economy.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by Ms. Patience Onuobia, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Minister Muhammad Dingyadi urged the oil workers’ union to reconsider its decision.
He said, “I have intervened in this matter and invited all parties for a conciliation meeting.”
The minister explained, noting that dialogue remained the best option to resolve the lingering dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over unionisation rights.
Dingyadi also appealed to Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to back down on its red alert which directed affiliate unions to prepare for solidarity action with petroleum workers.
He warned, “The petroleum sector is the core of our economy. Even a day’s strike will cause heavy revenue losses, running into billions, and bring untold hardship to Nigerians.”
Reassuring the public, the minister pledged that the federal government would work to ensure the conflict is settled peacefully.
He added, “I plead with the unions to give peace a chance. This matter will be resolved amicably, to the satisfaction of all parties involved.”
