The strike, which commenced on Monday and has garnered support from both domestic and international unions, occurs as the Dangote refinery, Africa’s largest, is employing its own drivers for gasoline distribution to retailers. Chiejina affirmed that operations are proceeding without disruption and that discussions involving the union, the government, and the company are ongoing.

Previously, Nigeria relied on imports for nearly all its petrol, despite being a significant oil producer, a situation attributed to years of neglect and mismanagement of state-owned refineries. The Dangote refinery, with a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, has contributed to lower petrol prices for consumers and disrupted established players in Nigeria’s oil sector, which has been historically affected by corruption. However, concerns about a potential monopoly have arisen due to the refinery’s growing influence, supported by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual.

Recent plans for the refinery to deploy a fleet of compressed natural gas-powered trucks for nationwide distribution have been delayed by logistical challenges, impacting a market accustomed to over 20,000 diesel-powered tankers. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) initiated the strike, citing allegations that Dangote’s newly hired drivers are being hired on the condition that they do not join the union. Union president Williams Akporeha expressed that Aliko Dangote demonstrates a reluctance to employ workers with union representation. NUPENG’s strike has received backing from entities such as the Nigeria Labour Congress, the global union IndustriALL, and the International Lawyers Assisting Workers network. Anthony Chiejina has refuted the union’s claims regarding employment conditions, labeling them as “cheap blackmail” and asserting their falsity.