Tension between Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery took a higher notch on Friday after the union mobilised truck drivers to block the refinery’s gate with their trucks.
This development followed a purported breakdown of negotiation between them, particularly over Dangote refinery refusal for its workers to join their association.
A few days ago, NUPENG suspended a two-day strike after sealing an agreement with Dangote Refinery, which it accused of planning to prohibit its truck drivers from joining labour unions.
After the federal government intervened in the matter through the Minister of Labour, Mr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, it was agreed that workers of the company were free to join any of the recognised labour unions in the country “in line with the provisions of the extant laws,” with the “process of unionization” commencing immediately and to be “completed within two weeks (between September 9 and 22, 2025).”
However, following the breakdown of the truce, NUPENG moved to block movement at the refinery.
Business Post gathered that Dangote then mobilised towing vehicles to remove the trucks, while NUPENG vowed to bring in more trucks.
This development comes after Dangote Group announced that the refinery will commence direct supply of petrol (PMS) to 11 states starting Monday, September 15, 2025.
The disclosure was contained in a press release issued via the Group’s official X account on Thursday.
Retail pump prices for the initial states are N841 per litre for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, and N851 per litre for Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara.
The gantry price is pegged at N820 per litre.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery begins direct supply of PMS with free delivery effective Monday September 15, 2025
“New Gantry Price is set at N820,” the statement read in part.
To support petrol station operators, the refinery will provide free delivery of PMS to registered stations in the 12 states, with plans to gradually expand distribution nationwide. All station owners are invited to register to access these benefits.
The move is expected to improve petrol distribution and supply consistency across the covered states.
Analysts say that the development may be part of efforts to frustrate the implementation of the free delivery policy in the country by some stakeholders.