The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch will commence an indefinite strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, following unresolved disagreements over the planned deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide product distribution.

 

The union said it fears the new system could displace thousands of its members currently engaged in oil and gas transportation.

 

In a statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union disclosed that several meetings with industry stakeholders failed to yield a resolution.

 

According to the statement, recent recruitment of drivers for the CNG trucks under new terms of engagement heightened tensions, with NUPENG expressing concern that the arrangement could prevent such drivers from joining existing unions in the oil and gas sector.

 

The union described the development as inconsistent with labour rights and urged urgent government intervention.

 

“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, its regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to urgently wade into this matter,” the statement read.

 

NUPENG warned that unless the issues are addressed, the strike would disrupt the lifting and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

 

While appealing to Nigerians for understanding, the union insisted that its action was aimed at safeguarding the welfare and rights of its members.

With just days to the strike deadline, all eyes are now on the Federal Government and stakeholders to step in and avert a nationwide fuel crisis.