The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and leaders of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to a crucial meeting today (Friday) as tensions rise over alleged violations of workers’ rights to join trade unions.
According to sources, the meeting is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. and will also include representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other key government officials.
The conflict stems from an agreement signed just days ago — on Monday, September 9 — between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG, in which the company agreed to respect workers’ rights to freely associate with any union of their choice. The agreement was signed at the DSS headquarters in Abuja and witnessed by officials from the NLC, TUC, relevant government ministries, and other stakeholders.
However, barely 24 hours after the signing, NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of going back on the deal — a claim the company strongly denied.
In a fresh statement issued on Friday, NUPENG again raised alarm, accusing the Dangote Group of “misrepresenting facts” and trying to destroy the union.
The statement, jointly signed by NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, criticised a press release issued by Dangote Petroleum Refinery on September 11, which claimed that workers at the refinery were not being stopped from joining any union.
“The press statement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery dated 11th September 2025 further confirms the company’s aim to crush our union, NUPENG, as well as stifle competition, with the ultimate goal of increasing fuel prices in the long run,” the union leaders said.
They described the company’s claims about a ‘faction of tanker drivers’ as false and misleading.
“If a ‘faction of tanker drivers’ truly existed, Dangote should have persuaded them to call off the nationwide strike of Petroleum Tanker Drivers directed by NUPENG, which was effective, peaceful, and 100 percent successful,” the statement added.
At the time of this report, the Dangote Group had not issued a response to the latest allegations.
However, in its earlier statement, the company maintained that it was operating within the law and international labour standards. The refinery stressed that joining any union remains voluntary for employees, in line with Nigerian labour laws and the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery, officially began operations earlier this year and is seen as a critical part of Nigeria’s economic future. But its labour practices have come under scrutiny in recent months.
NUPENG, one of Nigeria’s most powerful labour unions, says workers at the refinery, including Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), are being intimidated and denied their right to freely join the union.
The situation escalated last week when NUPENG directed its Petroleum Tanker Drivers to embark on a nationwide strike. Although the strike has since been suspended, tensions remain high.
Both the government and the public are hoping for a peaceful resolution that protects workers’ rights while also ensuring continued operations at the refinery, which is a key national asset.
