• NUPENG resumes strike after alleging Dangote Group violated union recognition resolution
• NUPENG says Dangote Refinery truck drivers were ordered to remove union stickers
• NUPENG calls on government, labour bodies, and civil society to intervene
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced the resumption of its suspended nationwide strike, accusing the Dangote Group of disregarding a government-brokered resolution to recognise workers’ union rights.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Executive President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG condemned the actions of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a cousin of billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, describing them as “arrogant” and “a blatant lack of respect for the laws of this country.”
READ MORE: Jaywon Raises Alarm Over Kogi Violence
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
NUPENG alleged that despite an agreement signed at the office of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the presence of three federal ministers and a deputy director-general of the DSS, Dantata instructed truck drivers who are NUPENG-PTD members to remove union stickers from their vehicles.
“This is to alert the general public and government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that notwithstanding the resolution reached and signed at the office of the DSS with three Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Deputy Director General of the DSS in attendance on the right of unionization of the Workers, Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 instructed all his Truck Drivers who are NUPENG-PTD members for several years to remove the Union Stickers from their trucks yesterday,” the statement read.
The union further alleged that on Thursday, September 11, Dantata ordered the drivers to forcefully enter Dangote Refinery to load, but union officials stopped them for violating union loading rules.
“Today, Thursday, 11th September, 2025, he instructed them to forcefully drive into Dangote Refinery to load, and Union officials stopped them from entering the Refinery to load because their trucks violated Union loading rules and regulations,” NUPENG said.
NUPENG also accused Dantata of escalating the situation, stating, “Sayyu Aliu Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the Navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the Union officials. Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over.”
The union warned against the use of state security forces in the dispute and urged the federal government to intervene.
“We call on everyone to let Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata know that he is not bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we strongly condemn his arrogant attitude towards official institutions of this great country and blatant lack of respect for the laws of this country,” the statement read.
NUPENG added, “We call on the federal government not to allow the Navy and other security agents who are paid with the resources of this country, to be used with impunity against the laws and people of this country.
“Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod with impunity even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which security agents facilitated, along with Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The union confirmed that all members had been placed on red alert for the full resumption of the nationwide strike.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action and calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, all Regional and Global Working people and Civil Society Organisations to rise in support and solidarity against this threat of the Capitalist world. His wealth cannot make him above the law,” NUPENG said.
Reassuring Nigerians, the union pledged its continued commitment to workers’ rights, stating, “We assure the people and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that NUPENG will continue to remain a patriotic, responsible, and responsive organisation to this great country. Our Solidarity remains Constant, for the Union makes us Strong!”
The strike had initially been suspended on Tuesday after a government-facilitated agreement with Dangote Refinery recognised workers’ union rights.
The resolution, reached during a closed-door meeting at the DSS with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), affirmed that employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals who wish to join labour unions would be allowed to do so, in line with existing labour laws.
Bolanle Ninalowo Reacts After Impostor Scams Woman Of N33 Million
Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has reacted in disbelief after a man allegedly swindled a woman of N33 million while pretending to be him.
Victoria Ayano, the victim, reported the incident to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), naming Bolanle Azeez as the impostor who collected the money.
