NUPENG Declares Strike Over Alleged Anti-Labour Practices by Dangote Refinery

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced it will commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, citing alleged anti-labour practices by the management of Dangote Refinery.

In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, the union accused the refinery of attempting to reintroduce exploitative labour conditions in Nigeria’s workforce.

NUPENG had earlier directed its members to suspend operations in protest against what it described as unfair treatment and union suppression by the Dangote Group.

However, several industry stakeholders—including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA)—have voiced opposition to the planned industrial action.

Responding to the backlash, NUPENG reaffirmed its commitment to the strike, accusing the Dangote Group of sponsoring dissent through the DTCDA, which it described as an illegitimate body created to undermine the union.

According to NUPENG, the DTCDA was established by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote to serve as the recruiting platform for drivers of 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks being imported by the group. The union claimed drivers are being coerced into joining this new association instead of NUPENG, which remains the legally recognized union for petroleum tanker drivers.

“The DTCDA is not a legitimate union and has been imposed on workers by the Dangote Group to prevent them from joining NUPENG,” the statement read. “Slavery was abolished centuries ago, yet some exploitative capitalists are attempting to reintroduce it by denying workers their fundamental right to freedom of association.”

The union urged the public to reject and condemn any form of forced labour and to stand in solidarity with workers fighting for fair treatment.