The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of trying to divide its Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch and blocking workers’ right to join the union.

In a joint statement by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union alleged that the refinery was spreading “false claims” and using free nationwide fuel delivery as a tactic to weaken NUPENG and shut out competition.

Earlier in the week, tanker drivers staged a short strike that shut down depots over alleged anti-labour practices. The protest was suspended after an agreement was reached during a meeting called by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on September 9. But NUPENG now says the refinery has gone back on the deal.

According to the union, refinery drivers were instructed to remove NUPENG stickers from their vehicles and replace them with those of the newly formed Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), which NUPENG claims was created by management to undermine its influence. It added that attempts to build such parallel structures have been ongoing since 2023.

Dangote Group has denied the accusations, insisting that all employees are free to join recognised unions and that it is not acting against workers’ interests.

NUPENG, however, warned that the refinery’s free fuel delivery scheme was a “Greek gift” designed to stifle competition. It also accused the company of maintaining an anti-union stance across its other businesses, including cement and sugar operations.

The union called on Nigerians and the international community to resist any attempts to suppress workers’ freedom of association, stressing that its leaders must not be targeted or threatened.