The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its members will begin seeking alternative employment from September 8, following what it described as Aliko Dangote’s refusal to allow newly-employed compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tanker drivers to “join labour unions.”
In a statement jointly signed by Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s President, and Afolabi Olawale, its General Secretary, the union condemned the alleged “anti-union practices” of Dangote and Sayyu Aliu Dantata, founder of MRS Group of Companies.
“Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) condemns in absolute terms the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional anti-union practices of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata,” the statement reads.
It added: “Meanwhile, 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.”
On June 15, the Dangote Refinery announced that nationwide distribution of diesel and petrol would commence on August 15. It also disclosed the acquisition of 4,000 new CNG-powered tankers to boost distribution.
NUPENG said it held a meeting with Dantata to seek clarification after the announcement, but the outcome was troubling.
“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 association stated.
The union noted that despite efforts to get relevant institutions to intervene, Dangote and Dantata have continued to act outside global labour standards.
**“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union have made several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alh Sayyu Ali Dantata to follow line of global best practices and decency but all to no avail.
“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.”**
According to the union, the move reflects the stance Dantata communicated to them on June 23, 2025, when he represented Dangote at a meeting.
NUPENG expressed concern over the business practices of both men, saying they were “scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits.”
The statement continued: “To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement, depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth. NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers. NUPENG stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning.”
The union lamented that the refinery’s recruitment drive showed “no justice or inclusiveness.” It called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to step in and ensure competition in the sector.
The association further appealed to the federal government and its agencies “to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order.”
“They should be told to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law,” it declared.
The union also urged the general public to bear any inconveniences that may result from its actions and called on other unions and labour bodies to stand in solidarity through peaceful protests and industrial action.