Tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have threatened to stop fuel loading over the seeming cold war between them and the management of the Dangote refinery.
The dilemma stems from the Dangote refinery’s proposal to import 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for direct gasoline delivery to dealers.
Though the plan, which was supposed to start on August 15, was delayed due to logistics issues in China, the refinery told our correspondent that it will start once a sufficient number of trucks arrive.
However, in a statement signed by its president, Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, NUPENG accused the Dangote refinery’s management of alleged anti-labor practices that endanger the survival and means of livelihood of its Petroleum and Tanker Drivers Branch members.
The union complained that the refinery’s founder, Aliko Dangote, had stated that fresh drivers would be hired for the imported trucks, and none of them would be permitted to join any union.
The union condemned the Dangote refinery management’s position as an affront to the right of association granted by the 1999 Constitution, as well as a violation of applicable international labor rules to which Nigeria is a signatory.
NUPENG remembered multiple meetings it convened with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners to persuade Aliko Dangote to reverse his position on not allowing its drivers to join trade unions. However, the union expressed disappointment that its petitions were apparently ignored.
“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union has made several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, follow the 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. NUPENG is seriously concerned and disturbed with the unconscionable business practices of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits,” the statement partly read.
NUPENG said it would not stand idly by and watch while the livelihoods of thousands of people, particularly tanker drivers, are destroyed.
