ABUJA: The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a strong strike warning to its members, particularly tanker drivers, threatening to embark on industrial action starting Monday, September 8, 2025.
This escalation comes amid rising tensions between the union and the management of Dangote Refinery, one of Nigeria’s largest oil processing facilities.
In a statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed serious dissatisfaction over what it describes as anti-labour union policies being enforced by Dangote Refinery’s management.
The dispute revolves primarily around the status of drivers recruited to operate the refinery’s fleet of 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
The union decried a directive attributed to the refinery’s Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s leading industrialist, which reportedly forbids these drivers from joining any trade union.
According to NUPENG, this policy directly contravenes the fundamental right to freedom of association enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as well as key international labor conventions to which Nigeria is a party.
NUPENG noted that since the dispute emerged, it has sought to resolve the matter through dialogue, initiating multiple meetings in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
The union aimed to persuade Dangote to reconsider its position and permit union membership for its drivers. Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with silence and refusal, leading to the present impasse.
The statement reads in part:
“Despite our numerous appeals, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, have remained adamant.
The management of MRS, affiliated with the Dangote group, began recruiting drivers on August 29, 2025, requiring them to sign undertakings prohibiting union membership.
NUPENG described this development as a shocking violation of workers’ rights, accusing the refinery’s leadership of perpetuating unconscionable business practices.
The union lambasted Dangote and Dantata for what it called an attempt to amass wealth by enslaving workers and depriving them of a voice.
The union’s leadership expressed profound disappointment, emphasizing that NUPENG had supported Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning phases in good faith.
The expectation was that the refinery’s operations would create employment opportunities, bolster local capacity, and foster a conducive environment for trade unions to thrive.
However, the union accused Dangote of betraying this trust by scheming to monopolize distribution channels, suppress competition, and thereby enslave the sector and raise prices.
NUPENG warned that these moves could negatively impact the living standards of ordinary Nigerians, describing the situation as not philanthropy but economic sabotage.”
In light of the escalating crisis, NUPENG has appealed to key regulatory agencies within Nigeria’s petroleum sector, particularly the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The union urged the authority to invoke its statutory powers under Sections 32(u) and 32(aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which empower it to promote competition and prevent abuse of dominant market positions in midstream and downstream operations.
The union’s statement further highlighted Nigeria’s obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), reiterating the need to uphold internationally recognized labor standards.
If no resolution is reached, NUPENG warned that its members would commence a strike, refusing to load petroleum products starting Monday, September 8, which could have severe repercussions on fuel supply and prices across Nigeria.
The looming strike adds to existing challenges within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where tensions between workers, unions, and private companies have historically influenced production and distribution stability.
Key Points:
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NUPENG threatens strike from September 8, 2025, citing anti-union policies at Dangote Refinery.
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Drivers for 10,000 CNG trucks are allegedly forbidden from union membership.
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Union claims this violates the Nigerian Constitution and international labor laws.
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Efforts at dialogue with Dangote management and NARTO have failed.
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NUPENG calls on regulatory authorities to intervene under the Petroleum Industry Act.
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Potential fuel supply disruption threatens Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
As the situation develops, stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector and government regulators face mounting pressure to find a workable solution that respects workers’ rights while ensuring uninterrupted fuel distribution.
