Tensions are escalating between organised labour and one of Nigeria’s largest private sector employers, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its full weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in a fast-developing dispute with the Dangote Refinery.
The move comes just days before a planned industrial action by NUPENG, which has threatened to stop fuel loading operations at the multibillion-dollar Dangote facility beginning Monday, September 8, 2025.
At the centre of the conflict is the refinery’s plan to import thousands of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute fuel nationwide. NUPENG alleges that drivers recruited to operate these trucks are being compelled to sign undertakings not to join any trade union, a condition the union says violates their constitutional and labour rights.
“A Full-Blown Declaration of War on Workers” – NLC
In a statement issued on Saturday, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the alleged anti-labour stance of the Dangote Group, calling it “crude and dangerous.”
“The revelations in NUPENG’s petition are not just about petroleum workers. They represent a full-blown declaration of war against trade unionism and the principle of decent work,” Ajaero said.
The labour federation pointed to a growing pattern of complaints from other unions operating within the Dangote Group’s various business arms including cement, sugar, and flour, accusing the conglomerate of:
- Union suppression
- Unfair wages
- Casualisation
- Unsafe working conditions
- Preferential hiring of expatriates over qualified Nigerians
NLC Mobilises Workers, Demands Immediate Action
The NLC has now placed all affiliates and workers nationwide on red alert, warning that continued violations could spark a wider industrial crisis.
“If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will confront this tyranny head-on,” the NLC said, adding that “Nigerian workers are not slaves and cannot be serially abused without consequence.”
The labour body called on:
- The Federal Government
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment
- The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
to step in immediately and enforce compliance with national labour laws and international conventions on workers’ rights.
NUPENG Threatens to Halt Operations
NUPENG had earlier disclosed that it engaged in dialogue alongside the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to persuade the Dangote Group to allow unionisation among its truck drivers. However, the union says its efforts have been repeatedly ignored.
“We are disturbed by the insistence of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata on suppressing union activity,” NUPENG said, revealing that recruitment for the new CNG trucks began on August 29, with drivers being asked to sign anti-union agreements.
The union described the practice as unconscionable and illegal, noting that Dangote’s companies continue to resist global best practices in labour relations.
National Implications
Labour analysts warn that a prolonged dispute could cripple fuel distribution across the country, particularly as the Dangote Refinery is expected to play a central role in Nigeria’s energy supply chain.
The NLC says the ongoing practices undermine national goals tied to the refinery’s commissioning including job creation, industrialisation, and economic development.
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