Nigeria may be heading into another round of fuel scarcity across the nation as a brewing confrontation between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery threatens to disrupt petroleum product distribution nationwide.
Naija News understands that NUPENG has directed its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch to stop loading petroleum products from Dangote depots starting Monday, September 8.
In a statement signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union accused Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices inimical to the survival and livelihoods of its members.
Dispute Over Right to Join Union
At the centre of the dispute is Dangote Refinery’s reported insistence that drivers recruited for its 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks will not be allowed to join any trade union.
NUPENG described this as “an affront on the right of association guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, and a breach of international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.”
The union said several appeals, including interventions with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), urging Dangote to reverse his stance, had been ignored.
Alleged Recruitment by Dangote’s Cousin
NUPENG further alleged that on August 29, MRS Holdings, owned by Dangote’s cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, began recruiting drivers under the condition that they must sign undertakings not to join any union.
“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union have made several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, follow global best practices and decency but all to no avail,” the statement said.
The union warned that such practices amount to modern-day enslavement of Nigerian workers.
“To us, amassing wealth on the basis of depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth. NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers,” it declared.
Recalling its support for the refinery during construction, NUPENG said it had expected job creation, sectoral growth and improved welfare. Instead, it accused Dangote of trying to “monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector and raise prices… This is not philanthropy, it is economic sabotage.”
The union urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) to invoke its powers under Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act to curb abuse of dominance and restrictive business practices.
It stressed that the right to unionise is guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and ILO Convention No. 87, ratified by Nigeria in 1960.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata should not be allowed to enslave Nigerian workers. Nigeria is a country of laws, not a lawless society,” the statement read.
Warning of Nationwide Action
NUPENG warned that if the situation persists, it would mobilise its members nationwide.
“Since Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin have resolved to replace all Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Nigeria and there is no one or institution that can stop him, the members of the PTD Branch of NUPENG will from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for alternative employments and livelihoods,” the statement said.
The union appealed to Nigerians to bear with any inconveniences that may result from the looming strike, describing its action as a struggle against “tyranny and indecency.”
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