The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has reaffirmed its decision to commence industrial action on Monday, 8th September 2025, citing alleged anti-labour practices by the management of Dangote Refinery.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday and signed by the union’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, NUPENG accused the Dangote Group of attempting to undermine legally recognised labour rights and union freedoms.
According to the union, the core of the dispute lies in what it describes as efforts by the Dangote Refinery and its affiliated entities to compel drivers to join an alternative body — the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) — in place of NUPENG, which it says is the only statutorily recognised union for petroleum tanker drivers.
“For the information of the public, the DTCDA is the association which the Dangote Group of Companies has formed for the drivers to join compulsorily, rather than allowing drivers to join NUPENG,” the statement reads. “Slavery ended centuries ago, but some unscrupulous capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave.”
The union, which last week directed its members to prepare for a strike, insisted that it would not back down in the face of opposition from what it termed “Dangote-sponsored groups”.
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Stakeholders including the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the DTCDA have criticised NUPENG’s planned industrial action, urging for dialogue instead of disruption. However, the union maintains that it is standing firm on the principle of workers’ rights and freedom of association.
“Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions,” NUPENG added, warning that the consequences of allowing such employment practices to persist could be far-reaching.
The statement also linked the DTCDA to prominent Nigerian industrialists Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, claiming the body was established specifically for the recruitment of drivers for 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks being imported by the Dangote Group.
As tensions rise, concerns have emerged about the potential impact of the strike on fuel supply and distribution across the country, with industry experts warning of possible disruptions if a resolution is not reached swiftly.
At the time of publication, the Dangote Group has not issued an official response to the allegations.
