Dangote Petroleum Refinery has clarified that joining a trade union is entirely up to its employees, stressing that the company fully respects their freedom of association as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
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In a statement on Wednesday, the refinery addressed what it called “misrepresentations” from the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) regarding its relationship with staff.
“Employees are free to decide whether or not they want to belong to any legally recognised union,” the company said, adding that it neither interferes with nor restricts this right. It described as baseless claims that drivers were compelled to sign contracts excluding them from union membership, urging NUPENG to focus on resolving its internal issues with the Petrol Tanker Drivers branch rather than involving the refinery.
Dangote noted that it maintains friendly relations with recognised trade unions, including NUPENG, and supports their lawful activities at its facilities by providing offices, allowing member engagement, and enabling dues collection without hindrance. The refinery also expressed its support for ongoing mediation led by the Ministry of Labour and encouraged NUPENG to act in good faith and avoid remarks that could jeopardise national economic recovery efforts.
Highlighting its commitment to staff welfare, Dangote Industries said drivers in its new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks scheme earn packages three times above the national minimum wage, with additional benefits such as group insurance, pensions, medical cover, housing allowances, and access to loans. The company’s N720 billion investment in 10,000 CNG trucks is expected to create at least 60,000 direct jobs, lower logistics costs, and support the Federal Government’s clean energy goals.
Since its commissioning last year, the refinery has helped Nigeria move from being Africa’s largest importer of refined fuel to a net exporter, supplying markets as far as the United States. It also produces polypropylene, base oils, jet fuel, and other by-products that are stimulating growth in plastics, aviation, lubricants, and agro-processing.
The company said its operations have stabilised fuel supply and prices, eliminated scarcity, and created more than 570,000 jobs in logistics, construction, and maintenance, while also delivering new roads, power, and water to host communities. It added that thousands of Nigerian engineers and technicians have received world-class training at the facility, making it a centre for skills development and technology transfer.
