The Petroleum Tanker Drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have threatened to stop fuel loading nationwide over an escalating dispute with the management of the Dangote Refinery.

At the centre of the crisis is the refinery’s plan to import 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution, a move NUPENG claims threatens the livelihoods of its members. The trucks, initially scheduled to arrive on August 15 but delayed by logistics in China, are expected to roll out once deliveries begin.

In a statement signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, the union accused the refinery of “anti-labour practices inimical to the survival of tanker drivers.” The union alleged that refinery founder Aliko Dangote had insisted the new drivers would not be allowed to join any trade union.

Describing the stance as a violation of constitutional rights and international labour laws, NUPENG recalled several failed attempts to convince Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Ali Dantata of MRS, to reverse the decision. “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 statement said.

NUPENG warned that it would not “stand idly by and watch livelihoods destroyed,” stressing that its solidarity during the refinery’s construction was given in expectation of fair labour practices. “Unfortunately, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by scheming to monopolise distribution, crush competition, enslave the sector, and raise prices,” the union charged.

The group further threatened to halt fuel loading effective Monday, September 8, if the matter remains unresolved. “Our members will start looking for alternative employment and skills. We plead with the public to bear with us as we resist this tyranny and indecency,” the union declared, while calling on the NLC, TUC, and global federations to prepare for solidarity action.

Dangote Refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, had yet to respond to enquiries at the time of filing this report.

Industry observers warn that the dispute, if it snowballs into industrial action, could cripple fuel distribution nationwide, triggering fresh scarcity.

The $20bn Dangote Refinery, inaugurated in May 2023 with a 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, has been touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy security, but its CNG truck initiative now risks sparking a major labour showdown.