Dangote, NUPENG resume talks as DSS brokers fresh peace deal

Officials of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Wednesday sat down once again with representatives of Dangote Refinery in a renewed effort to resolve their lingering dispute.

The fresh round of talks, just like the earlier meeting held on Tuesday, was convened at the instance of the Department of State Services (DSS), which has been mediating between the two sides.

According to sources, the discussions ended with both parties agreeing to maintain the status quo for the next two weeks while efforts continue to iron out outstanding issues.

In attendance at the meeting were the Finance Minister Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

During the first meeting, NUPENG had called off the strike it called in protest against alleged refusal of Dangote to allow its drivers participate in labour union activities.

But the Tuesday truce soon took a twist after NUPENG accused Dangote’s management of violating the pact.

NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and the General Secretary Afolabi Olawale described a September 11, 2025 statement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a misrepresentation of facts about its relationship with workers and their freedom to join NUPENG.

The union said: “The MoU signed on September 9, 2025 stemmed from the company’s earlier resistance to unionisation a fact the agreement itself confirms.

“Yet, on September 11, Dangote Refinery ordered the removal of NUPENG stickers from all trucks, replacing them with those of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), a body allegedly created by the management.

“Our members have firmly resisted this directive.

“Individuals who have repeatedly lost elections in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch since 2023 have now become spokespersons for the DTCDA.

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“Some of them have been granting interviews to local and international media in support of the company.

“Nigerians should also be aware that some of these individuals are facing criminal charges (Charge No. CR/042/23) at the FCT High Court for violent crimes including an attempt to assassinate elected leaders of the PTD Branch and NUPENG.

“During one of their attacks, NUPENG’s General Secretary was beaten into coma and was only revived in the hospital.

“Nigerians must not be deceived by the company’s offer of free nationwide fuel delivery. This move is aimed at discouraging other employers from hiring tanker drivers so that only Dangote-employed drivers compelled to join the DTCDA will remain in the workforce.

“The strategy is clearly to crush NUPENG and its PTD Branch.

“It is also important to note that apart from tanker drivers, the refinery’s operational and administrative staff have been obstructed from exercising their right to unionise.

“It is on record that Dangote Group does not permit unionisation in its cement and sugar plants across Nigeria.

“Nigerians should not support an arrangement that denies drivers and other workers in the Dangote Group their right to freedom of association.”

Dangote had denied allegations by NUPENG that it banned tanker drivers from joining the union.

It dismissed claims that it was involved in anti-labour practices, monopolistic behaviour, and planned fuel price hikes.

It said: “The current industrial matter is an internal dispute with NUPENG, specifically involving its Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit.

“It is therefore misplaced to attribute responsibility to Dangote Petroleum Refinery from the personal choices made by drivers regarding union affiliation.

“All recruitment and contractual processes across our operations, including those under the compressed Natural Gas (CNG) intiative, are voluntary, transparent and complaint with applicable Nigerian laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.

“Allegations of union suppression are entirely unfounded and appear to be part of a broader narrative aimed at discrediting private sector progress.

“Our organisation remains committed to labour rights, employee welfare, and the highest standards of workplace safety.”

The Nation gathered that yesterday’s meeting was to streamline the agreements reached on Tuesday.

“Yes, the meeting took place this evening between 3 and 5. The decision to suspend the strike was sustained,” a source said.

“The first meeting held about two days ago.

“There was need to work on the agreement entered in the first meeting, so that’s why the meeting was held.

“As far as I can tell, they just fell back to the resolutions of September 9.”