DSS Steps in as NUPENG Accuses Dangote of Breaching New Deal

The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to an emergency meeting in Abuja. The intervention follows mounting tension over allegations that Dangote violated a freshly signed agreement on workers’ freedom of association. The meeting, scheduled for Friday afternoon, will also have representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other key stakeholders in attendance.

On September 9, the refinery and NUPENG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the DSS headquarters, granting employees the liberty to join trade unions without interference. Witnesses included labour leaders, ministers, and other government officials. However, within 24 hours, NUPENG accused Dangote’s management of reneging on the pact, an allegation the company swiftly denied.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NUPENG leaders claimed the company misrepresented facts in its September 11 press release. The union alleged that Dangote was using the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), a group it believes was created by the management, to undermine NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch. According to the union, workers were ordered to remove NUPENG stickers from trucks and replace them with DTCDA insignia, sparking resistance among members.

NUPENG further alleged that individuals backing the company include former candidates who repeatedly lost PTD elections and are facing criminal charges at the FCT High Court. The union warned Nigerians not to be swayed by Dangote’s promise of free fuel delivery, claiming it was a strategy to monopolise the tanker driver workforce and silence trade unionism. As of press time, Dangote Group had not responded to the fresh allegations, insisting earlier that union membership remains voluntary in line with Nigerian law and ILO standards.