The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the management of Dangote Refinery of attempting to reintroduce slavery-like conditions into the Nigerian workforce. In response, the union has vowed to go ahead with a nationwide strike today, Monday, September 8, 2025.
NUPENG made this announcement in a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, signed by its National President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi. The union had earlier given notice of industrial action due to what it described as “anti-labour practices” by the Dangote Group.
According to the union, the management of Dangote Refinery is forcing petroleum tanker drivers to join a new association known as the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), instead of NUPENG, which is the only government-recognised union for that sector.
“For the information of the public, the DTCDA is the association which the Dangote Group of Companies has formed for the drivers to join compulsorily rather than allowing drivers to join NUPENG,” the union stated.
NUPENG claims DTCDA was created by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote to serve the interests of Dangote Group, especially with the reported importation of 10,000 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) trucks.
“This is an attempt to enslave workers,” the statement read. “Slavery ended centuries ago, but some unscrupulous capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave.”
The union also warned Nigerians not to support or tolerate any workplace that denies workers their rights, especially the right to freely join unions of their choice.
Despite opposition from other groups, including the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) and DTCDA, NUPENG insists the strike will hold.
“We are not backing down. Dangote-sponsored groups cannot stop us,” the union said.
The strike is expected to affect the supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide, raising fears of possible fuel shortages and long queues at filling stations.
Dangote Refinery, located in Lagos, is Africa’s largest oil refinery and a major private sector project by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. It recently began limited operations and is expected to boost Nigeria’s refining capacity. However, controversies around labour practices and working conditions have trailed its activities.
This is not the first time Dangote Industries has faced criticism from labour unions, but this latest confrontation could have nationwide impact due to NUPENG’s influence over fuel supply chains.
As of the time of reporting, Dangote Group has not issued an official response to the union’s latest claims.
