- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called out renowned businessman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata, over alleged anti-union agenda and plot to monopolise the oil and gas industry.
NUPENG raised the alarm of the plot by Dangote and Dantata, who owns MRS petrol station, over the former’s plan to import 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)- powered truck into the country and commence nationwide distribution of petroleum and diesel products free of logistics cost from 15th August 2025 to Petroleum Stations and Industrial set ups.
As contained in a statement issued on Friday by the union’s National Executive President, Williams Akpohera, and co-signed by its General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG expressed shock over the figure which Dangote initially announced to be 4,000 in June.
In the wake of the increase in the number of planned trucks imported, the union recounted how it had, alongside leadership of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (Employers Association of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers), held a meeting with Dangote and Danata, his cousin over their concern with the plot.
Dantata was alleged to have made known their plan to monopolise both the refining and distribution of petroleum products with recruitment of truck drivers by the duo already ongoing.
The recruits were according to NUPENG forced the sign an undertaking not to belong to any union.
“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.
“In a brutally cold and crude manner, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata informed NUPENG and NARTO leaders that the truck drivers they will recruit will not be allowed to join any existing union, but a new union will be formed for them.
“Arising from the unfortunate outcome of the meeting, the leadership of the Union have made several efforts to get relevant institutions of the country to make Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin, Alh Sayyu Ali Dantata to follow line of global best practices and decency but all to no avail.
“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 recruitment being carried out on the condition of not joining existing union is the implementation of the position declared to us by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata on 23rd Of June 2025, when the leadership Of NUPENG and NARTO had the meeting with Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata who represented himself and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.” the union wrote.
NUPENG maintained it will not sit idly and watch the businessmen amass what it described as filthy wealth on the basis of enslavement, depriving workers of a union and voice thereby destroying the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers.
It recounted how it had stood in solidarity with Dangote Refinery during its construction and commissioning in expectation it would create jobs, strengthen local capacity, and benefit the Nigerian people, under a conducive atmosphere for unions to thrive.
Unfortunately, Dangote, the union claimed, had 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.
NUPENG declared Dangote and Dantata’s alleged plan as economic sabotage and a trap.
It called on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) while also citing the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948, which applied to Nigeria as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“This is not pihlantropy, 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!
“It’s a well thought-out position and known fact that transition to cleaner and sustainable energy must be fair, inclusive and just. There is definitely no fairness, no justice or inclusiveness in what Alh Aliko Dangote and his cousin are doing.
“We call on the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority (the Authority, for short) to invoke its powers under Section 32(u) & (aa) Of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Under those two provisions, the Authority is empowered to promote competition and private sector participation in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“The Authority has responsibility to identify, investigate and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices with regard to midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“Nigeria is a member of the international community and a State member in the International Labour Organisation.
“Nigeria has ratified Convention No. 87 Of 1948, the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948. This Convention had been ratified by Nigeria, as far back as 17th October 1960.
“Under the Convention, workers have the right to join unions of their choice, for the protection of their employment and trade union rights, and without prior authorization of any employer or authority.
“Indeed, by virtue of section 254C (2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, a ratified ILO Convention is a constitutional provision. Therefore, any practice or policy by any employer which seeks to deprive workers of the right of association is an affront to the Constitution.
“Above all, the rights of association, including membership of trade unions, is guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution. 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 businesspersons and not lawless individuals and business Outfits. Nigeria is a country of laws, not a lawless society.
“By Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, workers cannot be penalized for their membership or nonmembership of trade unions.” The statement read further.
NUPENG further called 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, warning that their failure to desist from the plan will lead to mobilisation of its forces to fight within the framework of the law.
The union however noted that with Dangote’s resolution to replace all Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Nigeria withouth any institution to 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.
NUPENG plead with the general public to bear any inconveniences it may cause as it also called on all other industrial unions and the central labour organisations, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NIC),Trade Union Congress (TUC) and global Union Federations to stand in solidarity with peaceful mass actions and industrial actions in defending labour rights.