CNG Trucks: Nigerians Back Dangote Refinery Amid NUPENG Strike Threat

CNG Trucks: Nigerians Back Dangote Refinery Amid NUPENG Strike Threat

Lagos, Nigeria – September 8, 2025

The proposed rollout of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sparked a wave of public support online, even as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatens a nationwide strike in opposition to the plan.

NUPENG’s declaration has ignited heated debate across X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where many Nigerians expressed frustration with what they described as decades of union dominance and disruption. For many, the controversy goes beyond a standoff between a powerful union and Africa’s largest refinery—it reflects the nation’s struggle over efficiency, energy transition, and economic direction.

On X, one user, @olat187, argued: “Nigerians stand with @DangoteGroup. @officialNUPENG9 has been making the lives of Nigerians unbearable for years.” Another, James O., wrote: “The only business leader keeping ordinary Nigerians surviving is @DangoteGroup. Nigerians are fully behind you. If they like, they should go on strike. Gone are those days.”

Industry experts also weighed in. Prof. Olushola Bamidele compared the dispute to local trade practices: “If I buy a van to deliver directly to customers instead of using middlemen, should they fight me or find a way to survive? I don’t understand the logic of this impending strike.”

Dr. Tosan Harriman added: “It’s obvious NUPENG is spoiling for war over its restricted role in today’s dynamics. They don’t think about the people, just themselves.”

Suspicion of sabotage was also raised by some commentators. On X, @Joguns said: “#DangoteRefinery is a private business. Just like private universities don’t join ASUU strikes, Dangote should be allowed to run his operations legally and in the interest of Nigerians.” Another user, Tzalmon, questioned whether recent truck accidents involving Dangote vehicles might have been orchestrated “to sabotage the company.”

The debate also touched on geopolitical concerns. On Facebook, Ebere Anosike claimed: “It seems NLC and NUPENG are being used to sabotage Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s economy to protect Western refineries worried about declining imports. Authorities should investigate for possible economic treason.”

Others called on Dangote Group to take bolder steps, such as investing in loyal filling stations to reduce reliance on traditional fuel marketers.

Despite the uproar, many Nigerians see the refinery’s CNG truck initiative as a step toward cleaner, more efficient distribution and a potential game-changer for the nation’s downstream sector.

As one LinkedIn user noted: “Disruptive? Yes. But anything revolutionary faces resistance. What Dangote is doing will be studied in business schools around the world.”