Falana Urges Nigerian Government to Caution Dangote Over NUPENG Dispute

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to urgently address allegations that Dangote Refinery is attempting to prevent its newly hired drivers from joining established unions in the oil and gas sector.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had on Friday threatened to down tools starting Monday, September 9, in protest against what it described as a concerted effort by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to bar its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker drivers from affiliating with labour unions.

NUPENG, in a statement, accused the company of coercing new drivers into signing contracts that prohibit union membership — a move the union considers a clear violation of workers’ rights.

In response, Falana warned that such a policy not only breaches Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution — which guarantees freedom of association — but also contravenes several international labour conventions ratified by Nigeria.

“The action of the Dangote Group clearly infringes on constitutionally guaranteed labour rights and violates international standards,” Falana stated. He urged the Federal Government to step in immediately to prevent the escalation of the crisis.

However, not all drivers’ groups are aligned with NUPENG’s stance. The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) have publicly distanced themselves from the planned industrial action, saying they will not participate in the strike.

Despite this, NUPENG insists that its members across the oil and gas sector will proceed with an indefinite strike beginning Monday, unless the Dangote Group reverses its alleged anti-union policy.

The union maintains that its action is a necessary stand in defense of workers’ constitutional and labour rights, warning that any attempt to curtail unionization sets a dangerous precedent for the industry.