The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused industrialist Aliko Dangote of pursuing an “anti-union agenda” in the oil and gas sector, warning that his business practices threaten jobs and workers’ rights nationwide.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Williams Akporeha, and Secretary-General, Mr. Afolabi Olawale, the union alleged that Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata, were plotting to dominate the downstream sector, with grave implications for unions and the economy.
NUPENG expressed concern over Dangote’s plan to import 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, describing it as a monopolistic scheme. The union claimed drivers recruited under the scheme were being forced to sign agreements prohibiting union membership—calling it unconstitutional and a violation of international labour conventions.
“To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement, depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth,” the leaders said.
They added that such practices would “enslave workers, crush competition, and ultimately raise fuel prices for ordinary Nigerians.”
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG announced that from Monday, 8 September, its members would begin seeking alternative jobs and skills to safeguard their livelihoods.
NUPENG urged the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to intervene urgently, warning that silence would embolden “tyrannical, anti-union business practices.”
It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and international labour bodies to prepare for mass protests.
“Workers are no slaves. To resist unions is to resist collective bargaining. The working class will not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” NUPENG said.
