Fuel Scarcity Looms as NUPENG, Dangote Dispute Escalates …Tanker Drivers to Withdraw Services from Monday

By our Correspondent

The stability in the supply and distribution of petroleum products currently enjoyed by Nigerians may soon be disrupted due to a festering dispute between the management of Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, and issued in Abuja on Friday, NUPENG accused the management of Dangote Refinery of engaging in anti-labour practices that threaten the livelihood of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch members.

The Union particularly faulted the stance of the refinery’s Chairman, Aliko Dangote, that drivers employed for the operation of its 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks imported into the country would not be allowed to join any trade union.

Describing this as an assault on workers’ right of association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory, NUPENG recalled several unsuccessful meetings—held in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO)—to persuade Dangote to reverse his decision.

“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 compel Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, to abide by global best practices and decency, but all to no avail,” the statement said.

NUPENG expressed dismay that on August 29, 2025, MRS, owned by Sayyu Dantata, commenced recruitment of drivers for the CNG trucks, allegedly compelling them to sign undertakings not to join any existing union in the oil and gas industry.

The Union condemned the move, accusing Dangote and Dantata of seeking to amass wealth at the expense of workers’ rights, and vowed not to allow such “enslavement” in the sector.

“Dangote Refinery was built with our solidarity. We supported it in good faith, believing it would create jobs and strengthen local capacity. Sadly, Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by seeking to monopolise distribution, crush competition, and enslave workers, which will ultimately undermine Nigerians’ living standards. This is not philanthropy, it is economic sabotage,” the Union declared.

NUPENG further urged oil industry regulators to intervene, citing provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) empowering the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) to curb anti-competitive practices. It also reminded the government of Nigeria’s obligations under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Freedom of Association, ratified since 1960, which enshrines workers’ right to unionize.

Calling on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to prevail on Dangote and Dantata to respect the law, the Union warned of imminent industrial action.

“Since Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin have resolved to replace all Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Nigeria, and no institution seems willing to stop them, members of our Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch will, from Monday, September 8, 2025, withdraw their services and seek alternative sources of livelihood,” the statement concluded.

NUPENG also appealed to the general public to understand and bear with any inconvenience that may arise from the looming disruption in petroleum product supply.