A brewing dispute between petroleum tanker drivers and the Dangote Refinery is threatening to disrupt fuel supply across Nigeria, as drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have vowed to stop loading petroleum products from Monday, September 8.
The conflict stems from the refinery’s plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution. The project, initially scheduled to launch in August but delayed due to shipping setbacks in China, is expected to begin soon once a significant number of trucks arrive.
NUPENG, however, says the move could jeopardize the livelihoods of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch members. In a joint statement, the union’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, accused the refinery of anti-labour practices and alleged that drivers recruited to operate the new trucks are being compelled to sign agreements barring them from joining trade unions.
The union argued that such a policy violates workers’ constitutional rights and contravenes international labour standards. It recalled efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue, including meetings with Dangote and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, but said its appeals were ignored.
According to NUPENG, replacing existing drivers with non-unionized recruits amounts to an attempt to weaken organized labour and monopolize fuel distribution. The union warned that it would not stand by while its members’ jobs and rights are threatened, and called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other worker groups to prepare for solidarity actions.
The Dangote Refinery, a $20bn facility inaugurated in May 2023, is regarded as a major boost to Nigeria’s energy sector, with capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. But its new distribution strategy has sparked fears of job losses and possible nationwide disruptions if tanker drivers follow through on their strike threat.
The refinery has yet to respond officially to the union’s allegations.
