September 5, 2025 – The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned what it described as unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional anti-union practices allegedly carried out by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata.
According to the union, oil and gas stakeholders were shocked when on June 14, 2025, they heard Dangote’s declaration to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, later increased to 10,000, for the nationwide distribution of petroleum and diesel products. The distribution, scheduled to commence on August 15, 2025, was announced to be at no logistics cost to petrol stations and industrial setups.
In a statement, NUPENG explained that instead of embarking on protests, it sought clarification from Dangote regarding the decision. Following this, Dangote directed his cousin, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, who owns MRS Energy, to meet with the union leaders on June 23, 2025.
“At the meeting of 23rd June 2025, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata declared that he and Alhaji Aliko Dangote had resolved to have monopolistic control, not only of crude oil refining, but also distribution of the products. The planned importation of 10,000 CNG trucks is part of the plan for nationwide distribution,” NUPENG stated.
The union alleged that Dantata further informed them in “a brutally cold and crude manner” that drivers recruited for the trucks would not be allowed to join existing unions. Instead, a new union would be created exclusively for them.
Following the meeting, NUPENG and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said they made efforts to engage relevant authorities to ensure global best practices were followed, but these efforts yielded no results.
“To our utmost shock, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata’s MRS commenced the recruitment of drivers for the imported CNG Trucks on Friday, 29th August 2025. The drivers being recruited are being forced to sign an undertaking not to belong to any existing union in the oil and gas industry,” the statement read.
The union accused the businessmen of trying to create wealth by depriving workers of their rights. “To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement, depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth. NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers,” it said.
NUPENG recalled that it supported Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning, expecting that the project would create jobs, build local capacity, and improve the lives of Nigerians. The union, however, expressed disappointment at what it described as betrayal.
“This is not philanthropy, it is economic sabotage! This is not a gift—it is a trap! This is not progress—it is a death knell for working masses, small and medium scale investors, their dependants, official institutions, extant labour laws and inclusive economic growth and development!” the union declared.
It emphasized that the transition to cleaner and sustainable energy must be fair and inclusive, accusing Dangote and Dantata of pursuing unfair and unjust practices.
The union called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority to exercise its powers under Section 32(u) and (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices.
It further cited Nigeria’s ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 87 of 1948 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise. The union reminded that Section 254C(2) of the Nigerian Constitution gives ratified ILO conventions constitutional backing, while Section 40 guarantees workers’ rights to union membership.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his cousin Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata should not be allowed to enslave Nigerian workers. They should be made to be lawful business persons and not lawless individuals and business outfits. Nigeria is a country of laws, not a lawless society,” the statement noted.
NUPENG also referenced Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, which prevents penalties against workers for joining trade unions. It called on the federal government and its agencies to intervene.
“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including well-meaning segments of the Nigerian society, to call the two trillionaire businessmen to order. They should be told to obey the laws of Nigeria. If they persist in their anti-union tyrannical attitudes, NUPENG is set and ready to mobilize its forces to fight within the framework of the law,” the statement read.
The union disclosed that from Monday, September 8, 2025, members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch would begin seeking alternative employment, as Dangote and Dantata had already resolved to replace them. It urged Nigerians to bear with any inconveniences caused by the struggle.
“We plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences our struggle against this tyranny and indecency may cause; IT IS A STRUGGLE THAT MUST BE WAGED!!!!”
The statement also called on other industrial unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and international labour federations to prepare for solidarity actions.
“Workers are no slaves! To resist existence of unions is to prevent collective bargaining with a view to imposing terms and conditions of work unilaterally. To resist unionism is to seek to enslave! Respect for labour rights, including observance of the right of freedom of association cannot be waived. The working class will not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed!” NUPENG warned.
The union concluded by affirming its readiness to mobilize and resist any attempt to undermine jobs in the oil and gas sector, stressing, “NUPENG stands ready to mobilise and resist any attempt to destroy jobs and undermine our industry!”