iDeemlawfulThe Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has cautioned Nigerians against the latest move by Dangote Refinery to begin free and direct petrol delivery to 11 states from Monday, September 15, 2025, describing it as a Greek gift.
The union accused the Dangote Group, owner of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery, of running an “unconscionable capitalist network” designed to stifle competition with the ultimate aim of increasing fuel prices in the long run.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by NUPENG President Akporeha Williams and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, titled “Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s School Of Falsification Exposed”, released on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The warning marks another chapter in the ongoing dispute between the union and the refinery.
NUPENG and Dangote Refinery have clashed repeatedly over allegations that the company bars its drivers from joining the union.
The standoff previously triggered a strike action, which was only suspended after intervention by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Barely after the strike was resolved, the union accused the refinery of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both parties and threatened to resume the suspended industrial action.
Dangote Refinery, however, insisted that unionisation is voluntary and not compulsory, maintaining that it neither interferes with nor restricts employees’ rights to freely join recognised unions. The company accused NUPENG of twisting facts about its labour practices.
In a counter-claim, NUPENG said Dangote’s statement of September 11, 2025, only reinforced its image as an “unconscionable capitalist network built on falsehood” to deceive the public, crush the union and edge out competition, with a long-term plan to hike fuel prices.
“Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations. It is a Greek gift to ensure that other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers are unable to employ drivers, so that only those employed by the company who are forced to join the DTCDA, will remain in employment. Everything is targeted at crushing NUPENG and its PTD Branch,” the statement read.
The union also alleged that aside from petroleum tanker drivers, the refinery has prevented other workers from unionising, noting that Dangote Group has historically barred unionisation in its cement and sugar subsidiaries across Nigeria.
“Nigerians should not support a work arrangement in which drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group will be denied the right to enjoy freedom of association and unionisation,” NUPENG warned.
It also raised concerns for the safety of its leaders, saying: “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers is alerting the whole world that nothing untoward should happen to any of our leaders championing this struggle because we know how desperate and destructive capitalists with filthy wealth can be when cornered and exposed.”
NUPENG further accused Dangote of falsely denying that it prevents drivers from joining the union, stressing that the MoU signed on September 9, 2025, was rooted in the company’s initial resistance to workers’ rights.
“The birth of the MoU is therefore a confirmation of initial resistance to allowing freedom of Association. Despite the MoU of 9th September 2025, on the 11th of September 2025, the Dangote Refinery directed that the stickers of NUPENG be removed from all trucks to be replaced by the sticker of the Association, the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), formed by the Management,” the union said.
It added that members have resisted the move, alleging that Dangote has been sponsoring division within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch since 2023.
According to NUPENG, company-backed agents who repeatedly lost elections in the PTD Branch are now being recruited into the newly formed Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA).
“The company’s agents who have been losing elections in the PTD Branch of NUPENG are among those granting media interviews in support of the company,” the union concluded.
