The stability in the distribution and availability of oil products enjoyed by the Nigerians is about to be aborted as a result of the apparent cold war between the management of the Dangote refinery and one of the unions umbrella of workers in the oil industry, the Nigeria union of natural gas workers (Nupeng).
Nupeng, in a statement signed jointly by comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, president and general secretary, respectively of Nupeng and issued journalists in Abuja, on Friday, the union accused the administration of the Dangote Refinery of anti-Laboos, inimetics to survival and the livelihoods of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members of its members Petrolero and the Petroleum.
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The union specifically expressed strong reserves about the position of president of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, that the recruited drivers for operations of their 10,000 compressed natural gas trucks (CNG) could not join any union.
The union described the position taken by the management of the Dangote Refinery as an affront in the right of association, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, and a violation of the relevant international labor laws to which Nigeria is signatory.
The Nupeng recalled several meetings that began, together with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (Narto), to prevail in Aliko Dangote to terminate its position of not allowing its drivers to join the unions. The union expressed its regret that its appeals fell into deaf ears.
“Surfaceing from the unfortunate result of the meeting, the leadership of the Union has made several efforts to ensure that the relevant institutions of the country do Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Ali Dantata, follow the line of best practices and global decency, but all do not take into account.
“For our maximum shock, Mrs. Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata began the recruitment of drivers for CNC trucks imported on Friday, August 29, 2025.” The conductors that are recruited are forced to sign a company so as not to belong to any existing union in the oil and gas industry.
“Nupeng is seriously concerned and disturbed by the excessive commercial practices of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who are afraid to allow unions in their commercial costumes.
“Nupeng will not remain unstable, while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including oil drivers.
“Nupeng remained in solidarity with the Dangote refinery during its construction and commissioning.
“We did it in good faith, with the expectation that it would create jobs, it would strengthen local capacity and benefit the Nigerian people, under a conducive atmosphere for unions to prosper.
“Unfortunately, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by planning to monopolize the distribution, crush the competition and enslave the sector and increase prices, which would finally result in an attack on the living standards of the masses of the common Nigerians.
“This is not philanthropy, it is an economic sabotage!”, By appealing to the regulatory agencies of the relevant oil industry so that they go to the development crisis, the union left the clue that it would call its members to the tools and avoid the burden of oil products, effective as of Monday, September 8.
“We call on the Nigeria Nigeria of Petroleum Midstream & Downstream (the authority, the forhort) to invoke its powers under section 32 (U) and (AA) of the Petroleum Industry Law (PIA). According to those two provisions, the authority is empowered to promote the competition and participation of the private sector in the operation of the average sector and the Downstream footprint.
“Authority has the responsibility of identifying, investigating and preventing the abuse of dominant positions and commercial and recreational practices with respect to intermediate oil and downstream operations.
“Nigeria is a member of the International Community and a Member State of the International Labor Organization. Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, 1948. This convention had ratified by Nigeria until October 17, 1960. According to workers, workers have the right to join the unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and union rights, without prior authorization or authorization.
“In fact, by virtue of section 254c (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, an ILO ratified convention is a constitutional provision.
“Therefore, any practice or political of any employer who seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution.
“Above all, the association rights, including the membership of the unions, are guaranteed by section 40 of the Constitution. Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, Nigerian workers should not be allowed not to be of the society of the law, they should not be a legal society and without the right to the law.
“According to this statement, we ask the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including the well-intentioned segments of the Nigerian society, to call the two billionly entrepreneurs to order. They must have to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they persist in their anti-union, the tyrannical attitudes, Nupeng is prepared and ready to mobilize their strength for the fight within the framework of the law.
“Meanwhile, since Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin have decided to replace all oil oil drivers in Nigeria, and no one or institution can stop them, members of the Nupeng Petroleum oil conductors branch of Petroleum by Nupeng, starting on Monday, September 8, 2025.
“We put the general public to assume any inconvenience that our fight against this tyranny and indecency can cause.“
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