After several months of industrial peace in the oil and gas sector, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has directed its members in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD Branches to begin mass protest and strike from Monday, September 8. Over the alleged anti-union activities of Aliko Dangote.
In a statement on Friday, September 5, NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale Condemn what it calls the unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional anti-union practices of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata.
NUPENG said it was astounded and shocked when, on the 14th June 2025, it read and heard of what appears to ordinary people to be a philanthropic gesture of Alhaji Aliko Dangote declaring its intention to import 4,000 CNG trucks, which is Now 10,000 CNG trucks into the country and will commence nationwide distribution of petroleum and diesel products free of logistics cost from 15th August 2025 to Petroleum Stations and Industrial setups.
NUPENG in the statement, said instead of hitting the streets in protests, it sought an audience with Aliko Dangote, along with the leadership of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, but Dangote then instructed his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, the owner of MRS Energy, to meet with us on June 23.
According to NUPENG at the meeting, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata declared that he and Alhaji Aliko
Dangote had resolved to have monopolistic control, not only of crude oil refining but also distribution of the products, with the planned importation of 10,000 CNG trucks and with recruited drivers who will not be allowed to join any existing union, but a new union will be formed for them.
The statement revealed that arising from what it describes as ‘the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, its leadership went ahead to make several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Aliko Dangote and hiscousin to follow the line of global best practices and decency but all to no avail, and to its utmost shock, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata’s MRS began the recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG Trucks on Friday, August 29, 2025.
MUST READ: NLC,NUPENG mourn Dikko Tanker Fire Victims
NUPENG also reveals that 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 says it is seriously concerned and disturbed by 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, stressing that it will not stand idle, while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers.
NUPENG confessed that it Stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning, doing 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.
The statement said, unfortunately, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by scheming to monopolise distribution, crush competition, and enslave the sector and raise prices, which would ultimately, result in an attack on the living standards of the masses of ordinary Nigerians.
It argues further that this is not philanthropy.it is economic sabotage. It said it is not a gift-it is a trap. Also, it said it is not progress-it is a death knell for working masses, small and medium scale investors, their dependants, official institutions, extant labour laws, and inclusive economic
growth and development!
NUPENG use the statement to call on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) and (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noting that under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
NUPENG laments that Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948, with Nigeria ratifying as far back as 17th October 1960. Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorisation of any employer or authority.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
