The Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) has said it will not join the planned industrial action by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The announcement was made on Saturday in a statement signed by Barr. Enoch Kanawa, National President of the DTCDA.
Kanawa said the association reached its decision in Abuja following a meeting of its National Executive Council, where DTCDA said it is committed to national service and constitutional values.
Kanawa added that the association would not participate in the strike set to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.
He said, “We are not a union, and we are not joining issues with NUPENG.
“However, we deem it necessary to set the record straight, as stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport industry, and to prevent the public from being misled.”
According to the association, drivers have the right to choose who they associate with or not, adding that DTCDA will not allow itself to be forced into membership.
“The era of forced unionism is over, any driver mature enough to operate a heavy-duty vehicle is equally mature enough to make their own choices,” Kanawa added.
The DTCDA clarified that it represents both wet and dry cargo drivers — including those employed by large logistics companies such as Dangote Group, MRS, and others.
As NUPENG’s strike threat sparks fears of fuel shortages and transportation gridlock, the DTCDA assured Nigerians that its members would continue working to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services across the country.
“We see any action that disrupts petroleum distribution as a disservice to the nation and an abuse of union power. Nigerians deserve stability, not chaos,” the group said.
Additionally, the association pledged its full support for the deregulation of the downstream sector and the Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“Our members are prepared to play a vital role in the economic development of Nigeria, particularly in logistics and supply chain operations that are key to national growth,” said Kanawa.
The DTCDA also called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to take proactive measures to prevent any organization from infringing on drivers’ rights, especially through intimidation or forced membership.
“No individual or group should recruit members through coercion. The Constitution is clear — freedom of thought, association, and expression must be protected,” the statement said.
