Fuel scarcity is brewing following threat by tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to stop fuel loading as a result of the rift between them and the management of the Dangote refinery.
The rift is occasioned by the decision of Dangote refinery to import 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for the direct distribution of fuel to retailers.
The scheme was earlier scheduled to take effect on August 15 but experienced delay due to logistics in China, where it is being made.
NUPENG in a statement its President, Williams Akporeha, and the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale signed, said Dangote refinery’s position to bar drivers recruited to handle the trucks from being part of union is an anti-labour stance, a violation of 1999 constitution and a breach of relevant international labour laws to which Nigeria is a signatory.
They stated that attempts to make the leadership of the refinery to reverse course have been to no avail.
“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union have 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.
“NUPENG stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning. We did so in good faith, in expectation it would create jobs, strengthen local capacity, and benefit the Nigerian people, under a conducive atmosphere for unions to thrive.
“Unfortunately, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by scheming to monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector, and raise prices, which would ultimately result in an attack on the living standards of the masses of ordinary Nigerians. This is not philanthropy; it is economic sabotage.
“Meanwhile, since Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin have resolved to replace all petroleum tanker drivers in Nigeria, and there is no one or institution that can stop him, the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG will, from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for alternative employment/skills and sources of livelihoods.
“We plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences our struggle against this tyranny and indecency may cause; it is a struggle that must be waged! We call on all other industrial unions and the central labour organisations, the NLC, TUC and global union federations, to get ready to stand in solidarity with peaceful mass actions and industrial actions in defending labour rights,” the union said.
