Quest FM TV – September 12, 2025
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of engaging in union suppression, creating a rival drivers’ association, and spreading what it described as “falsehoods” aimed at discrediting the union.
In a statement signed by NUPENG National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union alleged that the refinery was attempting to weaken its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch by resisting workers’ right to unionize. It further accused the company of using what it called a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery to undermine fair competition and erode the union’s influence.
The accusations came in response to a Thursday press release by the Dangote Group, which dismissed claims of anti-labour practices, monopoly tactics, and planned fuel price hikes as “completely baseless.”
Strike and Stalled Agreement
Tensions between NUPENG and the refinery escalated earlier in the week when the union shut down depots on Monday in protest over the alleged refusal of Dangote management to allow newly recruited drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to join the union.
Although the strike was suspended on Tuesday following an agreement brokered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, NUPENG accused Dangote on Thursday of reneging on the deal. By Friday, the union alleged that refinery management had directed drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their trucks and replace them with those of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) — a group NUPENG claims was created by the company to rival its PTD branch.
“Our members have strongly resisted this directive,” the union declared, insisting that the refinery has been backing parallel structures since 2023 by recruiting defeated candidates from previous PTD elections into the DTCDA.
Wider Allegations
NUPENG also alleged that some individuals publicly defending the Dangote Group were facing ongoing criminal cases, accusing the refinery of attempting to use compromised figures to weaken the union’s credibility.
The union further warned Nigerians to be wary of Dangote’s free fuel delivery strategy, which it described as a ploy to dominate the market and impose a company-controlled drivers’ association.
“It is on record that Dangote Group does not allow unionisation in its cement and sugar plants across Nigeria,” NUPENG said, stressing that the refinery is extending the same anti-union stance to petroleum operations.
Ongoing Dispute
The refinery has yet to respond to NUPENG’s fresh allegations as the dispute continues to generate debate over labour rights, corporate practices, and market competition in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Report by: Kalu Divine | Edited by: Chris Odjomah