The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and his cousin, Sayyu Aliu Dantata, of plotting to monopolise Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas distribution and suppress workers’ rights.
The controversy stems from Dangote’s announcement in June 2025 to import 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to distribute petroleum and diesel products nationwide, beginning August 15, 2025.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union condemned what it described as unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional anti-union practices linked to the Dangote Group and MRS Energy, owned by Dantata.
The controversy stems from Dangote’s announcement in June 2025 to import 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to distribute petroleum and diesel products nationwide, beginning August 15, 2025.
NUPENG said while the move was initially presented as a philanthropic gesture, it has since emerged as a strategy to dominate not only crude oil refining but also nationwide product distribution.
According to the union, a meeting with Dantata on June 23 revealed that newly recruited drivers for the trucks would not be allowed to join existing unions.
Instead, a new, company-controlled union would be created. NUPENG alleged that MRS Energy has already begun recruitment under these conditions, forcing workers to sign undertakings not to affiliate with NUPENG or other oil and gas unions.
They said the motive is not philanthropy, but economic sabotage.
NUPENG also accused Dangote and Dantata of betrayal, saying it had supported the Dangote Refinery project in good faith, expecting job creation and economic growth under fair labour conditions.
However, the union claims the refinery is being used to crush competition, enslave workers, and impose monopolistic control.
The union called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to invoke its powers under the Petroleum Industry Act to prevent monopolistic practices and protect competition.
It also cited international labour conventions and Nigeria’s constitution, stressing that workers’ right to freedom of association cannot be compromised.
With tensions escalating, NUPENG announced that members of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch would begin seeking alternative livelihoods from September 8, 2025, in anticipation of job losses.
The union also warned that it is prepared to mobilise mass industrial action, urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and global labour federations to stand in solidarity.
The statement read, “NUPENG is seriously concerned and disturbed with the unconscionable business practices of Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Aliko Dangote, who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits.
“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.
“NUPENG stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning.
“We did so in good faith, in expectation it would create jobs, strengthen local capacity, and benefit the Nigerian people, under a conducive atmosphere for unions to thrive.
“Unfortunately, Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by scheming to monopolise distribution, crush competition, and enslave the sector and raise prices, which would ultimately result in an attack on the living standards of the masses of ordinary Nigerians.
“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 explained.
Constitutional Guarantees
NUPENG emphasized that Nigeria, as a member of the International Labour Organisation, has long ratified the Convention on Freedom of Association, which guarantees workers the right to join unions of their choice without prior authorization.
The union stressed that this right is also enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution and reinforced by Section 254C(2), which makes ratified ILO Conventions constitutional provisions.
It further noted that Section 9(6) of the Labour Act prohibits penalizing workers for union membership.
NUPENG warned that alleged attempts by Dangote and Dantata to undermine these rights amount to lawlessness and an affront to Nigeria’s Constitution.
It said “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.”
It lamented that “since Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin have resolved to replace all Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Nigeria and there is no one or institution that can stop him, the members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG will from Monday, 8th September 2025, start looking for alternative employments/skills and sources of livelihoods”.
It added “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 union called on “all other industrial unions and the central labour organisations, the NLC, TUC, and global union federations to get ready to stand in solidarity with peaceful mass actions and industrial actions in defending labour rights”.
