‘Oil Workers’ Strike Will Deepen Hardship For Nigerians’, CSOs Warn Labour Unions

A coalition of civil society organisations, faith leaders, and trade groups has strongly condemned the recent actions of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) following strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The groups, which include the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and the Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA), described the strike as “a direct assault on the Nigerian people, our economy, and our future.”

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, President of the coalition, Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman accused DAPPMAN of sabotaging indigenous refining initiatives, particularly the Dangote Refinery, in order to maintain control of fuel importation and profiteering.

The groups also warned that the strike action by labour unions would deepen hardship for millions of Nigerians already struggling with high inflation, rising transport costs, and food insecurity. “Let us be clear: this is not a strike for workers. It is a strike for cartels,” the statement read.

Welcoming a recent Federal High Court ruling that barred PENGASSAN from disrupting gas supply to the Dangote Refinery, the coalition urged security agencies to enforce the judgment and prevent any attempt to sabotage local refining.

The organisations gave example with other professional unions, arguing that no private enterprise should be compelled into union membership against its will. They maintained that workers at the Dangote Refinery should retain the freedom to decide whether or not to join a union.

The coalition further announced plans to sue DAPPMAN for economic sabotage, mobilise nationwide rallies to key government institutions, and escalate advocacy to regional and international bodies.

“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to industrialisation and energy reforms, but any attempt to bend to DAPPMAN’s blackmail will be resisted,” the groups declared.

The statement, jointly signed by Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman (COCSON), Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele (NIF), Comrade Boma Agbede (NACOMWA), and Barr. Yusuf Danladi (PCPA), concluded with a stern warning: “Nigerians deserve relief, not renewed suffering. DAPPMAN’s days of exploitation are numbered.”