Hannah Abu
Petrol Station Workers across Nigeria have formally accused the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of systematic marginalisation, demanding immediate inclusion in the union’s ongoing reform processes.
In a press statement issued on Monday under the banner of Concerned Petrol Station Workers (CPSW), the group acknowledged that NUPENG has embarked on visible restructuring efforts—including zonal elections and preparations for a national conference—but argued that these processes have largely sidelined the interests of frontline retail workers.
The workers noted that despite constituting a significant and highly visible segment of the downstream petroleum workforce, they remain “largely unstructured, insufficiently protected, and inadequately represented” within the union’s decision-making framework.
According to the statement signed by Comrade Ibrahim Zango, this exclusion is particularly troubling given that NUPENG’s statutory jurisdiction explicitly extends across the entire downstream value chain—petrol filling stations inclusive.
“Despite being one of the most visible and numerous categories of workers in the sector, PSWs continue to face poor welfare conditions, weak organisational structures, and limited voice within the union framework,” the statement read.
The group further highlighted the acute vulnerability of Petrol Station Workers, citing widespread exploitation, poor remuneration, lack of social protection, and unsafe working conditions as persistent challenges that union representation should ordinarily address.
The workers stressed that their ongoing exclusion fundamentally undermines the core principles of unionisation and collective bargaining—principles NUPENG claims to champion—especially at a time when the union is undertaking reforms explicitly aimed at improving inclusivity and representation.
Specific Demands
The Concerned Petrol Station Workers have issued a clear set of demands to NUPENG leadership:
· Formal recognition and integration of Petrol Station Workers into the union’s structure nationwide
· Creation of a defined PSW structure across all zonal formations
· Inclusion of PSW representatives in ongoing zonal elections and national conference processes
· Development of specific policies addressing the welfare, safety, and remuneration of station workers
· Establishment of a clear framework for the organisation, registration, and protection of Petrol Station Workers across the country
A Historic Opportunity
“The ongoing reforms present a historic opportunity to correct longstanding imbalances and ensure that no segment of the workforce is left behind,” the statement added.
The workers reaffirmed their commitment to industrial harmony while expressing readiness to engage constructively with union leadership to secure better representation within the sector.
As NUPENG continues its restructuring drive, the petrol station workers’ protest raises fundamental questions about who the union truly represents—and whether Nigeria’s most visible petroleum workers will continue to operate as the industry’s forgotten majority.
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