Unionisation dispute: DSS summons Dangote Refinery, NUPENG
The Department of State Services, DSS, has summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, amid escalating tension over an alleged breach of an agreement on workers’ right to belong to the union of their choice.
The meeting, which is reportedly scheduled for 3:00 pm on Friday, will also be attended by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and other key stakeholders.
on September 9, the management of Dangote Refinery and NUPENG signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, granting workers the freedom to join any union of their choice without interference.
The signing was witnessed by officials of the NLC, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, government ministers, and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the signing, NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery management of violating the pact, an allegation the company denied.
Earlier on Friday, the union again accused the Dangote Group of being economical with the truth.
NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, in a statement they jointly signed, said Dangote Refinery’s press release of September 11, 2025, misrepresented facts about its relationship with workers and their freedom to join NUPENG.
“The press statement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery dated 11th September 2025 further confirms the company’s aim to crush our union, NUPENG, as well as stifle competition, with the ultimate goal of increasing fuel prices in the long run.
“The attempt to create an illusion of division within our union is not only malicious but entirely fabricated. If a ‘faction of tanker drivers’ truly existed, Dangote should have persuaded them to call off the nationwide strike of Petroleum Tanker Drivers directed by NUPENG, which was effective, peaceful, and 100 percent successful,” parts of the statement read.
At the time of filing this report, Dangote Group had yet to respond to the latest allegations.
Its earlier statement maintained that association with any trade union at its refinery remains strictly voluntary, in line with Nigerian law and International Labour Organisation, ILO, conventions.
