FG, SSS meet Dangote, NUPENG, ask them to stop war

The Federal Government on Friday waded further into the escalating dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, urging both parties to maintain the status quo as agreed at the September 9, 2025 meeting.

The directive followed another round of talks at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja. The meeting had in attendance the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the Deputy Director General of DSS, representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dangote Group, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and NUPENG.

Speaking after the meeting, NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that the resolution was to uphold the earlier agreement. He added that MRS Energy Ltd was specifically directed to restore NUPENG stickers on its trucks after allegedly ordering their removal earlier in the week.

He said: “We just finished the meeting at the DSS with the Minister of Labour and Employment (State), the Deputy Director General of DSS and other operatives of DSS, the representatives of NMDPRA, Dangote, TUC, NLC and NUPENG in attendance.

“The resolution of the meeting is to maintain the status quo preceding the resolution of 9/9/2025. MRS Energy Ltd was asked to go and put back the NUPENG stickers it instructed its drivers to remove from its trucks on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, tensions deepened on Friday as NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of sponsoring division within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch, undermining unionisation, and deploying “falsehoods” to discredit the union. It also alleged that the refinery was using a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery to weaken union influence and stifle competition.

Two videos circulated online further fuelled controversy. One showed loading activities at the Dangote Refinery with claims that only MRS trucks were barred by NUPENG. Another captured a ConOil truck accessing the loading arms of the facility. Attempts to reach Dangote’s spokesperson, Mr. Tony Chiejena, were unsuccessful.

NUPENG dismissed Dangote Group’s Thursday press statement, describing it as “an epitome of unconscionable capitalist falsehood.” The refinery had earlier rejected allegations of anti-labour practices, monopolistic tendencies, and fuel price hike plans, insisting the claims were “entirely unfounded.”

Central to the dispute is the refinery’s rollout of more than 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks, which NUPENG says could threaten existing jobs. Dangote, however, insists the trucks are a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy, projecting the creation of 60,000 direct jobs with salaries and benefits above national standards.

The company also denied monopolistic ambitions, citing compliance with NMDPRA’s deregulated framework and highlighting the issuance of over 30 refinery licences to other private operators. It credited its entry into the downstream sector with reviving dormant petrol stations, stabilising supply, and driving down fuel costs.

On Friday, NUPENG further alleged that Sayyu Dantata, a Dangote ally, ordered truck drivers to strip off union stickers and attempted to forcefully load at the refinery in defiance of the September 9 resolution—claims yet to be independently verified.

Dangote to roll out CNG trucks Monday

In a related development, Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced it will begin rolling out its CNG-powered trucks on Monday, September 15, as part of a N720 billion investment aimed at cutting fuel distribution costs and reducing pump prices nationwide. The first phase will involve 1,500 trucks.

According to the company, gantry prices will be pegged at N820 per litre, translating to retail pump prices of N841 in Lagos and other South-West states, and N851 in Abuja, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Kwara.

The initiative, projected to save Nigeria over N1.8 trillion annually, is expected to benefit more than 42 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by lowering energy costs and easing inflationary pressures. Dangote said the project would also revitalise dormant filling stations and create new jobs for truck drivers, station managers, and fuel attendants.

The company called on stakeholders—including filling station operators, telecom firms, and bulk fuel consumers—to partner with the scheme to maximise its economic impact.

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