The fragile truce between the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery has collapsed, raising fears of renewed industrial action and fuel supply disruption.
The breakdown follows accusations by NUPENG that the refinery reneged on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this week, which affirmed the rights of tanker drivers and other staff to freely unionise. The MoU was reached on September 9 at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, presiding. It was witnessed by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), DSS and other agencies.
NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, accused Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a cousin of Aliko Dangote and key operator in the refinery’s trucking business, of defying the agreement. According to Akporeha, Dantata ordered drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from vehicles and bypass agreed loading procedures. He further alleged that Dantata used security forces and attempted intimidation of union officials.
“His wealth cannot make him above the law. Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which they themselves facilitated,” Akporeha said.
The union has now placed its members on “red alert” for a possible nationwide strike, calling for solidarity from the NLC, TUC, civil society groups and international labour allies.
NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, also claimed Dangote management was preparing to use towing trucks to remove vehicles deployed by the union to enforce compliance. In response, NUPENG said it had reinforced its blockade at the refinery gates.
The dispute stems from NUPENG’s allegation that the refinery sought to bar drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks from joining any union. The trucks are expected to spearhead Dangote’s direct fuel distribution scheme, delayed from August and now scheduled to commence before year-end.
Fuel marketers, under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), appealed for calm, warning that any escalation could trigger fresh scarcity. PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, urged all parties to respect the signed MoU.
The NLC also condemned the refinery’s reported actions, describing them as a “gross violation” of the truce. Acting General Secretary Benson Upah said the Congress would review the situation, while another official accused Dangote of “treating Nigerian institutions with contempt” despite enjoying government incentives.
The crisis marks a major setback after last week’s government-brokered agreement that temporarily halted a nationwide strike. With both sides hardening positions, concerns are mounting over renewed fuel shortages and the Federal Government’s ability to enforce compliance.
