The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) accused Dangote Refinery of intentionally causing division within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch. NUPENG argued that Dangote is trying to resist unionisation while also supporting a proxy organisation to wrestle power from the union.
According to NUPENG, Dangote has supported an alternative body called the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association. NUPENG claimed that these are representatives who lost previous PTD elections, and that the company is now endorsing these individuals to weaken the union’s power.
Furthermore. NUPENG also accused Dangote of instructing drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their trucks and replace them with the other association logo. NUPENG indicated that this was a blatant act of union busting which is contrary to a Memorandum of Understanding executed on September 9, 2025, which guaranteed the right of drivers to freedom of association.
NUPENG also rejected Dangote’s contention that a faction exists within its tanker drivers. It also claimed that other drivers were pressured to load petroleum products against the rules of the union, and that officials of the union were subjected to harassment and intimidation.
Dangote however denied the allegations. Its spokesperson insisted that the company respects workers’ rights to join any union, further reiterated it had no policy restricting drivers from associating with NUPENG.
The Department of State Services has now called both parties to a meeting that is expected to resolve the dispute. The meeting’s agenda is likely to include concerns about MoU compliance and clarification of drivers’ rights during refinery operations.
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