NUPENG Accuses Dangote Refinery of Undermining Union, Sponsoring Division

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has levelled fresh allegations against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing the company of resisting workers’ rights to unionise and attempting to create cracks within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday by its National Executive President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union described a press release from the Dangote Group a day earlier as “an epitome of unconscionable capitalist falsehood aimed at hoodwinking Nigerians and crushing NUPENG.”

The union further alleged that the company had deployed a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery in an effort to weaken competition and suppress union activities.

Earlier in the week, NUPENG had shut down depots to protest claims that the refinery barred newly recruited drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks from joining the union. That action was suspended on Tuesday after both sides reached an agreement at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

However, the union maintains that the refinery has failed to keep to the terms of that agreement. According to NUPENG, despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding on September 9 acknowledging its initial opposition to unionisation, the company on September 11 allegedly instructed drivers to strip NUPENG stickers from their trucks and replace them with the insignia of the newly formed Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), which the union claims was created by management.

“Our members have stoutly resisted this development,” the statement said, further alleging that Dangote has been “sponsoring parallel structures” within the PTD branch since 2023 by enlisting members who lost union elections into the DTCDA.

NUPENG also linked some of the refinery’s media allies to ongoing criminal cases and urged Nigerians not to be swayed by the offer of free product delivery. “It is on record that Dangote Group does not allow unionisation in its cement and sugar plants across Nigeria,” the union said, stressing that the same stance “is now being extended to refinery workers.”

Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has denied all allegations. In a statement released on Thursday by its spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, the company dismissed claims of anti-labour practices, monopolistic behaviour, and planned fuel price hikes as “entirely unfounded.” The refinery insisted it supports constitutionally protected labour rights, adding that “employees are free to affiliate with any recognised trade union.”

Still, NUPENG is calling on Nigerians and the international community to resist any attempt to undermine freedom of association. It also warned that its leaders must not be harmed in the course of what it described as a legitimate struggle.

“Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong,” the statement concluded.