LAGOS, Nigeria — The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticised the Dangote Refinery’s plan to distribute petrol directly to filling stations, describing the initiative as a “Greek gift” aimed at weakening labour unions and monopolising the industry.
The refinery on Thursday, September 11, 2025, announced that it would begin free nationwide delivery of petrol to retail outlets in 11 states starting Monday, September 15, 2025.
But in a statement issued on Friday, September 12, 2025, NUPENG alleged that the move was designed to edge out other employers of petroleum truck drivers (PTD).
“Nigerians should not be deceived by the offer of free nationwide delivery of petroleum products to dispensing stations. It is a GREEK GIFT to ensure that other employers of Petroleum Truck Drivers are unable to employ drivers so that only those employed by the company who are forced to join the DTCDA will remain in employment. Everything is targeted at crushing NUPENG and its PTD Branch,” the statement read.
The union, led by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, further accused Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company of obstructing workers’ rights to unionise.
“Drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group will be denied the right to enjoy freedom of association and unionisation,” the officials said, urging Nigerians not to endorse such arrangements.
Tensions between NUPENG and the Dangote Group have escalated in recent months.
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, the union placed its members on “red alert” for the possible resumption of a suspended nationwide strike following a clash between its members and drivers of MRS Oil.
The refinery has denied claims that it compels workers to forfeit union rights, insisting the current dispute centres on the petrol tanker drivers unit.
NUPENG, however, dismissed this explanation as “an unfounded fabricated lie from the pit of hell.”
The union also alleged that Dangote refinery has sponsored a breakaway faction within the PTD branch since 2023, and reiterated claims that management ordered the removal of NUPENG stickers from trucks, replacing them with those of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), a rival association reportedly created by the refinery.
“Our members have stoutly resisted this development,” NUPENG said.
