Tanker drivers threaten strike over Dangote CNG truck plan

Tanker drivers threaten strike over Dangote CNG truck plan

By Jeffrey Agbo

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch will suspend fuel loading nationwide beginning Monday, September 8, in protest against alleged anti-labour practices by the management of the Dangote Refinery.

The dispute stems from the refinery’s plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for direct distribution of petroleum products to retailers. Although the initiative, initially set to begin on August 15, was delayed due to logistics challenges in China, Dangote Refinery confirmed that it will launch operations once a sufficient number of trucks arrive.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of adopting policies that threaten the jobs and union rights of its members.

The union said Aliko Dangote had indicated that drivers of the new trucks would be freshly recruited and barred from joining any trade union.

Describing the stance as a violation of constitutional and international labour rights, NUPENG said several appeals and meetings with Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Ali Dantata, had failed to yield results.

“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,” the statement read in part.

The union further accused Dangote of betrayal, alleging that his business model was designed to “monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector, and raise prices.”

“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,” it added.

The union warned of possible nationwide fuel shortages if the dispute is not urgently addressed and urged regulatory authorities, labour organisations, and civil society groups to intervene.

“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,” NUPENG declared.