By Muhammad Mamman
The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals alongside the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to an emergency meeting amid escalating tensions over alleged violations of workers’ rights.
The meeting, slated for 3 p.m. on Friday, will also involve the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), government officials and other key stakeholders, Vanguard learnt.
The intervention follows accusations by NUPENG that Dangote reneged on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 9 September at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja. The agreement, witnessed by labour leaders and government representatives, affirmed workers’ freedom to join any union without interference.
Barely 24 hours later, however, NUPENG accused the refinery of breaching the pact — a claim strongly denied by Dangote Group. The refinery insisted that union membership remained voluntary and aligned with Nigerian law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
NUPENG’s Allegations
In a statement signed by NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union accused the company of attempting to “crush” NUPENG and create a rival association, the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), to weaken its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.
The union also alleged that Dangote ordered the removal of NUPENG stickers from trucks, replacing them with DTCDA insignia. According to the statement, individuals “rejected at repeated PTD elections since 2023” were now being used as spokesmen for the new body, some of whom face criminal charges for violent offences.
“Nigerians must not be deceived by promises of free fuel delivery,” NUPENG warned. “This is a ploy to monopolise the workforce by compelling drivers to join a company-backed union, thereby crushing competition and ultimately driving up fuel prices.”
The union further claimed that beyond tanker drivers, refinery staff and workers across Dangote’s cement and sugar plants had long been denied the right to unionise.
Awaiting Response
As of press time, Dangote Group had yet to respond to the latest allegations. In its earlier statement, however, the company insisted it respected workers’ rights and denied any attempt to undermine NUPENG.
