NUPENG threatens shutdown over Dangote’s ‘anti-union policy,’ Fuel scarcity imminent as face-off fester

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have strongly condemned what it described as the unlawful and anti-union practices of business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary of NUPENG, respectively, issued to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, accused the management of Dangote Refinery of collaborating with Alhaji Dantata’s company, MRS to commit anti-labour practices.

The union alleged that Alhaji Dantata’s company, MRS, had recently commenced the recruitment of drivers for its newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, but forced applicants to sign an undertaking not to join any of the existing unions in the oil and gas sector.

NUPENG recalled that this development was a direct implementation of a position declared by Alhaji Sayyu Dantata during a joint meeting with the union and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) on June 23, 2025. According to NUPENG, Dantata, who represented both himself and Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the meeting, had openly declared their intention to monopolize not only crude oil refining but also the distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The union further alleged in the press statement that as part of this strategy, 10,000 CNG trucks were imported for nationwide distribution, with plans to restrict the recruited drivers from joining established unions. Instead, a new union would reportedly be created for them.

“In a brutally cold and crude manner, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata informed NUPENG and NARTO leaders that the truck drivers they will recruit will not be allowed to join any existing union, but a new union will be formed for them,” the statement read.

“To our utmost shock, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata’s MRS commenced the recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG Trucks on Friday, 29th August 2025.

“The drivers being recruited are being
forced to sign an undertaking not to belong to any existing union in the Oil and Gas Industry.

NUPENG said it has made several efforts to draw the attention of relevant institutions of government to intervene and ensure that the businessmen comply with global best practices and industrial relations standards, but to no avail.

The union warned that the development was not an act of philanthropy but rather amounted to “economic sabotage” against the oil and gas workforce and the country at large.

But the stability in the distribution and availability of petroleum products being enjoyed by Nigerians may be impacted as a result of the seeming cold war between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG.

While appealing to relevant oil industry regulatory agencies to wade into the unfolding crisis, the Union dropped the hint that it would call on its members to down tools and shun loading of petroleum products, effective from Monday, September 8.

“We call on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority (the Authority, for short) to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“Under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private
sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“The Authority has responsibility to identify, investigate and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices with regard to midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“Nigeria is a member of the international community and a State member in the International Labour Organisation. Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948. This Convention had been ratified by Nigeria, as far back as 17th October 1960. Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorization of any employer or authority.

“Indeed, by virtue of section 254C (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, a ratified ILO Convention is a constitutional provision.

“Therefore, any practice or policy by any employer which seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution.

According to NUPENG, “since Alh 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 Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG will from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for alternative employments/skills and sources of livelihoods.

“We plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences our struggle against this tyranny and indecency may cause.”