NUPENG battles Dangote over alleged anti-union practices, monopoly

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote of pursuing what it described as an anti-union agenda in the country’s oil and gas sector.

This was contained in a joint statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Williams Akporeha, the union’s National Executive President.

The union alleged that Dangote and his cousin, Sayyu Dantata, were plotting to create a monopoly that threatened jobs, trade unions, and the economic rights of Nigerians.

“NUPENG is seriously concerned and disturbed with the unconscionable business practices of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who are scared of allowing unions to exist in their business outfits.

“To us, amassing wealth on the basis of enslavement and depriving workers of a union and voice amounts to creating filthy wealth.

“NUPENG will not stand idly by while these billionaires seek to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including tanker drivers,” the statement read.

The union also raised concerns about Dangote’s plan to import 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for fuel distribution, which it claimed was part of a scheme to dominate the downstream sector.

According to NUPENG, newly recruited drivers under the project are being forced to sign agreements that prevent them from joining existing trade unions.

The union described the move as unconstitutional and a violation of workers’ rights protected under Nigeria’s Constitution and international labour conventions ratified by the country since 1960.

“This is not philanthropy; it is economic sabotage. Dangote’s plan will enslave workers, crush competition, and ultimately raise fuel prices for ordinary Nigerians,” NUPENG stated.

The union warned that it would resist any attempt to weaken workers’ rights in the oil and gas industry and urged the government to intervene before the situation escalates.