Barely two days after suspending its nationwide strike, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised new concerns over what it called “flagrant disregard” of agreements reached with the management of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
In a statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union accused the refinery’s management, led by Mr. Sayyu Aliu Dantata, of frustrating the resolutions endorsed by the federal government, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC). The union also alleged that workers were being intimidated into abandoning the agreement.
NUPENG warned that it may be forced to resume its strike if the situation continues.
On September 9, 2025, after a long meeting convened by the DSS in Abuja, both sides reached a truce. The meeting, attended by Finance Minister Wale Edun, other senior government officials, and NLC representatives, ended with Dangote Refinery agreeing to allow its workers to unionize in line with Nigerian labor laws.
It was agreed that the unionization process would begin immediately and be completed within two weeks, between September 9 and 22. The agreement also stated that the company would not create any other union.
For NUPENG, this was a big victory after weeks of agitation. But the union said it soon began to see worrying signs that the management was already breaking the deal.
According to NUPENG, Mr. Dantata instructed truck drivers under the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit of the union to remove NUPENG stickers from their trucks on September 10. The union claimed he even flew over them in a helicopter before calling in the Navy to intimidate its officials.
Things escalated further the next day, September 11, when the same drivers allegedly tried to forcefully enter the refinery to load petroleum products against union rules. NUPENG officials blocked them, insisting the trucks were in violation.
The union described the actions of the refinery’s management as arrogance and abuse of power.
“We want Mr. Sayyu Aliu Dantata to know that he is not bigger than Nigeria. We condemn his arrogant attitude towards government institutions and his disregard for the laws of this country,” the statement said.
NUPENG assured Nigerians it had no plan to make life difficult by disrupting fuel supply but urged the federal government to act quickly. It also warned against using the Navy or other security agencies to protect private interests.
The union said it was placing its members nationwide on red alert for the possible resumption of the strike. It also called on organized labor, civil society, and international allies to show solidarity.
“His wealth cannot put him above the law. We assure Nigerians that NUPENG will remain patriotic, responsible, and committed to this country. Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong,” it said.
With tensions rising, attention is now on the federal government to step in and prevent another industrial crisis in the oil and gas sector — one that could cripple fuel distribution and worsen the fragile economy.
