NUPENG THREATENS TO HALT FUEL LOADING OVER CLASH WITH DANGOTE REFINERY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to stop fuel loading nationwide over an escalating dispute with the management of Dangote Refinery regarding its plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution.
The union, in a statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, accused the refinery of engaging in anti-labour practices aimed at undermining the livelihoods of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch members.
The crisis stems from the refinery’s new distribution model, which will rely on imported CNG-powered trucks and fresh recruits who, according to NUPENG, are being forced to sign undertakings not to join any existing trade union.
“This is an affront to the right of association guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and a breach of international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory,” the union stated.
NUPENG said its efforts, along with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), to persuade Aliko Dangote to allow unionised drivers in the new scheme had failed. It accused Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata, of “unconscionable business practices” and of attempting to monopolise fuel distribution.
“To our utmost shock, MRS, owned by Sayyu Dantata, commenced recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG trucks on Friday, August 29, 2025. The drivers are being forced to sign an undertaking not to belong to any union in the oil and gas industry,” the statement read.
While appealing to regulators to intervene, NUPENG warned that unless the matter is addressed, its members would down tools and stop loading petroleum products from Monday, September 8.
“We plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences our struggle may cause. It is a struggle against tyranny and indecency that must be waged,” the union added, while calling on the NLC, TUC, and other industrial unions to prepare for solidarity actions.
Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter.
The $20 billion Dangote Refinery, inaugurated in May 2023, was hailed as a game changer for Nigeria’s energy sector, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. However, its plan to bypass traditional tanker drivers with a fleet of CNG trucks has sparked fears of massive job losses and possible nationwide fuel supply disruptions if the crisis escalates.
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