Fuel Crisis Looms: Tanker Drivers Threaten Strike Over Dangote’s CNG Trucks
Tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have threatened to stop fuel loading over a brewing dispute with the management of Dangote Refinery.
The row stems from the refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct fuel distribution, a move the union says will sideline its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.
Although the scheme, initially scheduled to launch on August 15, was delayed due to logistics setbacks in China, Dangote Refinery confirmed it would commence operations once a sizeable number of the trucks arrive.
But in a joint statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union accused the refinery of anti-labour practices, alleging that new drivers recruited for the CNG trucks were barred from joining any union.
The union argued that this violates workers’ constitutional right of association and contravenes international labour conventions Nigeria subscribes to. It noted that several appeals—made alongside the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO)—urging Aliko Dangote to reverse his position were ignored.
NUPENG further alleged that recruitment for the new fleet had already begun under Sayyu Dantata’s MRS, with drivers compelled to sign undertakings not to belong to any oil and gas union.
Expressing outrage, the union said it would not “stand idly by” while its members’ jobs and livelihoods were threatened.
“NUPENG stood with Dangote Refinery during construction and commissioning, believing it would create jobs and strengthen local capacity. Sadly, Dangote has chosen to betray that trust by seeking to monopolise distribution, crush competition, and undermine labour rights. This is not philanthropy; it is economic sabotage,” the statement read.
The union warned that unless authorities intervene, members would halt fuel loading from Monday, September 8, and seek alternative means of livelihood. It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and global labour groups to prepare for solidarity actions.
Dangote Group spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, had yet to respond to inquiries as of press time.
The dispute poses fresh risks to Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, raising fears of nationwide fuel shortages if the standoff escalates.
The $20 billion refinery, inaugurated in May 2023 with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has been hailed as a major step toward energy security. But its new distribution model is now threatening to spark a full-blown labour crisis.
