*As Union Threatens To Resume Strike
THE Department of State Service (DSS), earlier on Friday, September 12, summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to an emergency meeting at 3 p.m., to be attended by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other key stakeholders, following lingering dispute over an alleged breach of an agreement on workers’ right to belong to a union of their choice.
Recall that on Tuesday, September 9, the management of Dangote and NUPENG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja, witnessed by officials of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), ministers. and other stakeholders, granting workers the freedom to join any union of their choice without interference.
But less than 24 hours after the MoU signing, NUPENG accused the management of Dangote of violating the pact, an allegation the company denied.
NUPENG, on Friday, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, again accused Dangote Group of being “economical with the truth,” saying the refinery’s press statement of September 11, misrepresented facts about its relationship with workers and their freedom to join NUPENG, and threatened to resume the strike it had called off on Wednesday, September 10, if the issues were not urgently resolved.
According to the statement: “The press statement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery dated 11th September, 2025, further confirms the company’s aim to crush our union, NUPENG, as well as stifle competition, with the ultimate goal of increasing fuel prices in the long run.
“The attempt to create an illusion of division within our union is not only malicious, but entirely fabricated. If a ‘faction of tanker drivers’ truly existed, Dangote should have persuaded them to call off the nationwide strike of Petroleum Tanker Drivers directed by NUPENG, which was effective, peaceful, and 100 percent successful.
“The refinery also falsely claims it does not prevent its truck drivers from joining NUPENG.
“The MoU signed on September 9, 2025, stemmed from the company’s earlier resistance to unionisation, a fact the agreement itself confirms.
“Yet, on September 11, Dangote Refinery ordered the removal of NUPENG stickers from all trucks, replacing them with those of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), a body allegedly created by the management. Our members have firmly resisted this directive.
“Individuals who have repeatedly lost elections in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch since 2023 have now become spokespersons for the DTCDA. Some of them have been granting interviews to local and international media in support of the company.
“Nigerians should also be aware that some of these individuals are facing criminal charges (Charge No. CR/042/23) at the FCT High Court for violent crimes, including an attempt to assassinate elected leaders of the PTD Branch and NUPENG. During one of their attacks, NUPENG’s General Secretary was beaten into a coma and only revived in hospital.
“Nigerians must not be deceived by the company’s offer of free nationwide fuel delivery. This move is aimed at discouraging other employers from hiring tanker drivers, so that only Dangote-employed drivers, compelled to join the DTCDA, will remain in the workforce. The strategy is clearly to crush NUPENG and its PTD Branch.
“It is also important to note that, apart from tanker drivers, the refinery’s operational and administrative staff have been obstructed from exercising their right to unionise.
“It is on record that Dangote Group does not permit unionisation in its cement and sugar plants across Nigeria. Nigerians should not support an arrangement that denies drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group their right to freedom of association.”
Dangote Group was yet to respond to the latest allegations.
It had earlier, in a statement, said association with any trade union at its refinery remains strictly voluntary, in line with Nigerian law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
Dangote has also refuted NUPENG’s allegation that it was aiming at a monopoly, saying over 30 refinery licences have already been issued to other private players, with active developments by BUA, Aradel and Walter Smith.
In an official statement on Friday, Dangote Group, in response to NUPENG’s September 5 allegation, said these developments demonstrate that Nigeria’s deregulated oil sector continues to foster healthy competition.
It emphasised its compliance with Nigeria’s deregulated oil sector under the supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The company also rejected claims of labour abuse, insisting its expansion projects, including the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas- (CNG) powered trucks, are creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and that employees are free to join recognised trade unions.
On pricing concerns, the refinery said its operations have stabilised supply and contributed to lower costs, citing that diesel prices have dropped by over 30 per cent in the past year, while petrol remains competitive, compared with neighbouring West African countries.
It restated commitment to responsible business practices, saying the allegations of monopolistic behaviour are “entirely unfounded,” encouraging other private sector players to invest in Nigeria’s economic future.
The outcome of the meeting was being awaited at press time.
On Friday, there was a mild drama as NUPENG mobilised truck drivers to block the refinery gate with their trucks.
In response, Dangote reportedly mobilised to use towing vehicles to remove the trucks, but NUPENG vowed to bring in more trucks.
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