Nigeria Fuel Scarcity Looms Amid Dangote Refinery Union Dispute

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Rivers election, Tonye Cole, warned that Nigeria cannot afford another fuel scarcity. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* programme, he urged the government to intervene swiftly in disputes between employers and employees to prevent disruptions that would deepen citizens’ suffering.

Cole’s remarks come amid a conflict between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery. After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that recognized employees’ right to unionize, NUPENG suspended its nationwide strike. However, the union now accuses Dangote of reneging on the agreement by ordering truck drivers to remove union stickers from their vehicles. The MoU—signed in the presence of NUPENG’s national executives, officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)—stipulated that unionization must begin immediately and be completed within two weeks, that no worker would be punished for joining a union, and that the employer would not create a parallel union.

Cole emphasized the essential role of unions in a democracy, describing them as a necessary balance among employers, employees, and the government. He cautioned against allowing a single company to dominate Nigeria’s fuel market, arguing that competition strengthens businesses and benefits citizens.

The dispute originated when NUPENG alleged that Dangote was hiring new drivers on the condition that they not join the union. Dangote’s management dismissed the claim as “cheap blackmail,” but the union has threatened to resume industrial action if its commitments are not honored. Stakeholders have called on the federal government to prevent security agencies from being used against workers’ rights and to ensure that agreements are respected.

The episode underscores the need for effective dispute‑resolution mechanisms to avoid fuel‑supply disruptions and protect citizens’ interests. As Nigeria continues to grapple with fuel scarcity and monopoly concerns, the government and all parties must collaborate to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.