NUPENG Accuses Dangote of Breaching Agreement, Threatens Fresh Strike

By Chinedu Echianu

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Group of reneging on agreements reached with the Federal Government over workers’ unionization rights, warning that it may resume its recently suspended nationwide strike.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union alleged that Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a top executive in the Dangote conglomerate, had directed petroleum truck drivers who are members of NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch to remove union stickers from their vehicles.

According to the union, the action contradicts a resolution signed on September 9, 2025, at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja. That meeting, attended by three federal ministers and a Deputy Director General of the DSS, had reaffirmed the right of workers to freely associate and belong to unions.

NUPENG further alleged that on September 11, Mr. Dantata ordered truck drivers to forcefully enter the Dangote Refinery for loading operations without complying with union regulations. The union said its officials resisted the move, insisting that the trucks had violated established loading rules.

The statement claimed that Mr. Dantata “flew over them several times with his helicopter and later called in the Navy to crush the union officials,” an action the union described as an abuse of state institutions for private interests.

“We call on the Federal Government not to allow security agents paid with public resources to be used with impunity against the people of this country,” NUPENG said, warning that it had placed its members on red alert for the possible resumption of its suspended strike.

The union urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society groups, and international labour organizations to rally in solidarity, stressing that “wealth cannot place anyone above the law.”

NUPENG assured Nigerians of its commitment to remain a patriotic, responsible, and responsive organization but insisted that it would not tolerate disregard for workers’ rights or agreements brokered by government institutions.