The much-anticipated meeting between the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Dangote Group, and other key stakeholders ended without resolution on Monday, raising fears of worsening fuel scarcity across the country.
The meeting, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, began hours behind schedule but failed to yield a breakthrough. None of the parties — including NUPENG President Williams Akporeha, representatives of the Dangote Group, or the government delegation — released official details as of press time.
A source who attended the closed-door talks confirmed to Daily Post that discussions were inconclusive. “Details are still sketchy, but it seems no agreement has been reached yet. I should know more from tomorrow,” the stakeholder said.
NUPENG, which began an indefinite strike on Monday to protest Dangote’s introduction of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for petroleum distribution, has already shut down major depots and several filling stations in Lagos and Warri. The union insists the move undermines workers and constitutes “anti-labour practices.”
The strike has already begun to bite. In Warri, transport costs have surged, while in Abuja, petrol prices remained between N885 and N910 per litre on Monday night — with some outlets, such as Empire Filling Station, selling at N950.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged all parties to find a “sustainable resolution for the good of Nigerians,” but with other unions — including PETROAN, PENGASSAN, NOGASA, and NARTO — threatening to join the strike, fears are mounting that fuel scarcity and price hikes may intensify nationwide.
