NUPENG Strike Threatens Nigeria’s Hospitals, Warns Minister

 A looming strike by Nigeria’s petroleum workers could cripple hospitals reliant on fuel-powered generators, the Health Minister has warned, as tensions rise over labour disputes. 

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has mobilized its members to protest alleged anti-union tactics by Dangote Refinery.

The Minister of State for Health, Ishaq Salako, highlighted the dire consequences of a fuel supply disruption, noting that 65 to 80 percent of Nigeria’s hospitals depend on diesel and petrol generators due to unreliable electricity. 

The strike, set to begin today, stems from NUPENG’s claims that Dangote Refinery is blocking its compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers from unionizing, a charge the refinery denies. Reuters reports that the Federal Government, through Labour Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has called for dialogue, scheduling a conciliation meeting today to avert the shutdown. Despite dissent from some union factions, NUPENG remains resolute.

The standoff has sparked alarm, with hospitals bracing for power outages that could halt surgeries and endanger patients, especially in rural areas. Critics urge both sides to prioritize public welfare, while supporters of the strike defend workers’ rights. For Nigeria, already facing healthcare challenges, the dispute tests the government’s crisis management. As talks unfold, the nation watches, hoping for a resolution to safeguard its hospitals and vulnerable patients.