The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to an emergency meeting in Abuja. The meeting, set for 3 p.m., will also bring in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other key stakeholders.
Trucks Block Refinery Gate
On Friday morning, NUPENG taskforce members blocked the Dangote Refinery gate with trucks, disrupting access and halting loading operations. Petroleumprice.ng correspondents confirmed that tankers lined up on access roads, leaving drivers stranded.
Dangote management mobilised towing vehicles to reopen the gate, while union leaders vowed to deploy more trucks if removed.
By midday, NUPENG trucks pulled back from the refinery entrance, restoring partial access. At the same time, Dangote rolled in a new fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, with about 1,000 units driving into the refinery, according to information obtained by Petroleumprice.ng.
Meanwhile, MRS trucks remained on the expressway, occupying one lane and slowing traffic.
Dispute Over Union Rights
The standoff stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 9 at DSS headquarters. The pact, witnessed by labour leaders and government officials, gave Dangote Refinery employees the right to join any union of their choice.
NUPENG later accused the company of breaching the agreement by ordering the removal of union stickers from trucks and backing the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA). Dangote denied the charge, saying union membership remains voluntary under Nigerian law and international labour conventions.
In a statement, NUPENG President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale said Dangote’s actions contradict the MoU. They also raised concerns about restrictions on workers’ rights across the Dangote Group.
Implications for Operations
The refinery has faced disruption for two straight days. Analysts warn that prolonged tension could slow product distribution and heighten pressure on Nigeria’s already volatile downstream market.
As of press time, truck movement at the refinery remained limited while stakeholders awaited the outcome of the DSS talks.