Fresh tension between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote refinery has triggered panic buying of fuel across Nigeria.
On Thursday, NUPENG leaders ordered a halt to fuel loading at the refinery’s bay after the company directed its drivers to remove all union stickers from their trucks.
The DSS had intervened on Tuesday following a deadlocked conciliatory meeting at the Labour Ministry on Monday over unionisation rights. After a closed-door session at DSS headquarters in Abuja, the union suspended its planned nationwide strike.
But insiders told Daily Trust that the sticker-removal order infuriated union leaders, prompting an emergency meeting.
A union leader explained: “On Wednesday morning, based on the agreement reached on Tuesday at the DSS headquarters, our members working with Dangote Refinery were called, we didn’t force anybody and we handed over stickers to them.
“To our surprise, after a few hours, we heard that the company directed all of them to remove the stickers. Meanwhile, not all of them even collected the stickers ab initio. We thought it was a rumour.
“When we came here this morning (Thursday), we noticed that all the pasted stickers had been removed. This negates the agreement we had during Tuesday’s meeting.”
Confirming the breakdown, NUPENG President Williams Akporeha declared it was “not yet Uhuru” for the union and accused the company’s leadership of acting above the government that had earlier intervened.
He said: “This is to alert the general public and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that notwithstanding the resolution reached and signed at the office of the DSS with three Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Deputy Director-General of the DSS in attendance on the right of unionization of the workers, Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 instructed all his Truck Drivers who are NUPENG-PTD members for several years to remove the union stickers from their trucks yesterday.
“Today, Thursday, 11th September, 2025, he instructed them to forcefully drive into Dangote Refinery to load and Union officials stopped them from entering the Refinery to load because their trucks violated union loading rules and regulations.
“Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the Navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the Union officials.
“Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over.
“We call on everyone to let Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata know that he is not bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we strongly condemn his arrogant attitude towards official institutions of this great country and blatant lack of respect for the laws of this country.
“We call on the Federal Government not to allow the Navy and other security agents being paid with the resources of this country, to be used with impunity against the laws and people of this country.”
Akporeha also placed members on red alert for a possible resumption of the suspended nationwide strike, calling on the NLC, TUC, civil society groups, and international labour allies for solidarity.
He stressed: “His wealth cannot make him be above the law. We assure the people and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that NUPENG will continue to remain a patriotic, responsible and responsive organization to this great country.”
Dangote Group responds
In a statement issued late Thursday, Dangote Group insisted it maintains a cordial relationship with all recognised unions, including NUPENG.
“We have consistently supported their legitimate activities within our facility, including providing office space and enabling member engagement and dues collection without interference.
“Since the refinery became operational, our activities have contributed positively to union revenue and engagement. While we remain open to constructive dialogue, we will not tolerate economic sabotage, coercion, or blackmail under the guise of labour activism.”
The company expressed support for federal government intervention efforts and dismissed claims of bad faith.
“We hold both the minister, Dr Mohammed Dingyadi (Katuka Sokoto) and Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, in the highest regard, and reject any suggestion that we have acted in a manner that would undermine their involvement. The minister granted Mallam Sayyu Dantata the permit to enable him to attend to his medication.
“It is therefore both unfounded and regrettable for NUPENG to allege that our representatives staged a walkout during the conciliation meeting. Moreover, NUPENG did not engage with Dangote Petroleum Refinery on any grievance prior to threatening industrial action and issuing public allegations, an approach that is disappointing given the positive working relationship we have consistently maintained.
“We urge NUPENG to act in good faith, respect the ongoing dialogue process, and refrain from making statements that could undermine national economic recovery efforts led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.”
On union rights, Dangote Refinery stressed that union membership remains voluntary.
“The current industrial matter is an internal dispute with NUPENG, specifically involving its Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit. It is therefore misplaced to attribute responsibility to Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the personal choices made by drivers regarding union affiliation.”
The company also rejected accusations of monopoly.
“Dangote refinery has brought down Gasoline prices more than eight times in the last one and half year just to stabilize the domestic energy prices and supplies. No more demurrage payment by the NNPC. Assertion of monopolistic intent is both legally and factually incorrect.”
The Background
The dispute began after tanker drivers declared a strike last Friday over Dangote Refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution, a move they said would sideline existing drivers, threaten jobs, and undermine unionisation rights.
NUPENG has also accused the refinery of pursuing anti-labour and anti-union policies aimed at enslaving workers providing critical services.