NEWS
Industrial Action Escalates as NUPENG Blocks Loading at Dangote Refinery
Signs have emerged that the recently brokered peace between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery by the Ministry of Labour and Employment may be short-lived as NUPENG threatened to reactivate the suspended industrial action.
The NUPENG, in an issued statement on Thursday in which it accused Dangote Refinery of negating the resolutions reached at the peace meeting.
The union, in its statement, accused Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, the founder of MRS holdings, of instructing all his Truck drivers who are NUPENG-PTD members for several years to remove the union stickers from their trucks yesterday, and subsequently “instructed them to forcefully drive into Dangote Refinery to load.”
The statement further explained that NUPENG officials stopped the trucks entering the Dangote Refinery to load because “their trucks violated Union loading rules and regulations.”
At this point, the union alleged that Dantata then invited the Navy to come over “ostensibly to crush the Union officials.”
But responding to the allegation, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, in a statement last night, dismissed recent allegations made by the NUPENG, insisting that claims of anti-labour practices, monopolistic behaviour, and planned fuel price hikes are “entirely unfounded.”
In its official response, Dangote Refinery reiterated its full support for constitutionally protected labour rights, stating that employees are free to affiliate with any recognised trade union. “Assertions that drivers are compelled to waive union rights are categorically false,” the statement said, adding that the dispute involves NUPENG’s Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit and does not implicate the refinery in any breach of rights,” the statement said.
The NUPENG statement, signed by NUPENG’s President, Akporeha Williams and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, also accused the Dangote Refinery of working against the agreement.
The statement, titled: “Dangote Empire Negates Resolutions Reached On 9th September 2025,” issued by NUPENG yesterday, read: “This is to alert the general public and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that notwithstanding the resolution reached and signed at the office of the DSS with three Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Deputy Director General of the DSS in attendance on the right of unionisation of the workers, Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 instructed all his Truck Drivers who are NUPENG-PTD members for several years to remove the Union Stickers from their trucks yesterday.
“Today, Thursday (yesterday), 11th September, 2025, he instructed them to forcefully drive into Dangote Refinery to load and Union officials stopped them from entering the Refinery to load because their trucks violated Union loading rules and regulations.
“Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the Navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the Union officials.
“Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over. We call on everyone to let Alh Sayyu Aliu Dantata know that he is not bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we strongly condemn his arrogant attitude towards official institutions of this great country and blatant lack of respect for the laws of this country. We call on the Federal Government not to allow the Navy and other security agents being paid by the resources of this country to be used with impunity against the laws and people of this country. Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod with impunity even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which security agents facilitated along with Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action and calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, all Regional and Global Working people and Civil Society Organisations to rise in support and solidarity against this threat of the Capitalist world.
“We assure the people and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that NUPENG will continue to remain a patriotic, responsible and responsive organisation to this great country.”
According to Dangote Refinery, central to NUPENG’s allegations is the roll-out of over 4,000 CNG-powered bulk trucks, which the union claims could displace existing jobs. Dangote Group firmly refuted this, describing the initiative as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy.
“The deployment of CNG-powered trucks is a strategic initiative designed to support national energy transition goals, not to displace existing jobs,” the company stated. Each truck will be operated by a six-person team, with drivers receiving salaries significantly above the national minimum wage, plus medical cover, pensions, housing allowances, and long-term access to housing loans. The company aims to have 10,000 such trucks in operation by year-end, potentially creating over 60,000 direct jobs.
Responding to accusations of monopolistic behaviour, Dangote Refinery emphasised its compliance with Nigeria’s deregulated oil sector under the supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The company highlighted that over 30 refinery licences have been issued to private players, with active developments by BUA, Aradel, Walter Smith, and the Edo Refinery. “While we are major industry player, our presence has revitalised the downstream sector, reopened previously dormant petrol stations and restored investor confidence,” the management said.
The statement also drew parallels with the company’s influence in the cement industry, noting that Dangote’s entry helped eliminate Nigeria’s reliance on imports and spurred the rise of other local producers.
Dangote Refinery strongly denied any plans to increase fuel prices. On the contrary, the company claims its operations have stabilised fuel availability and driven down costs. Diesel prices, for instance, have dropped by over 30% in the past year, and petrol prices in Nigeria are now reportedly lower than in oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and 40% cheaper than neighbouring West African countries.
The company also pointed to its N720 billion investment in CNG infrastructure as evidence of its commitment to reducing logistics costs and improving nationwide fuel distribution.
Dangote stated it maintains a cordial and cooperative relationship with all recognised trade unions, including NUPENG. It rejected accusations of walking out on recent conciliation efforts, stating that the union had not formally communicated any grievances before going public.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the intervention of the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and remain fully supportive of ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting resolution. We hold both the Minister, Dr Mohammed Dingyadi (Katuka Sokoto) and Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, in the highest regards, and reject any suggestion that we have acted in a manner that would undermine their involvement. The Hon. Minister granted Mallam Sayyu Dantata the permit to enable him attend to his medication,” the company said, expressing appreciation for the roles played by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and key ministers involved in mediating the dispute.
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With over 570,000 direct and indirect jobs created, including through road, power, and water infrastructure projects, Dangote Refinery has positioned itself as a centre for skills development and technology transfer in Nigeria.
Reiterating its commitment to responsible business, Dangote Group concluded by dismissing the monopoly allegations as “recycled falsehoods”, urging other private sector players to follow its lead in investing in Nigeria’s economic future.
“At Dangote, we have chosen to invest boldly in Nigeria’s future and we will continue to do so. It is time others follow suit.”
The Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) has fixed N150 million as the tariff for outdoor campaign advertisements by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the new tariff, governorship candidates will pay N100 million, while senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and State House of Assembly candidates are expected to pay N50 million, N25 million and N5 million, respectively.
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The Director-General of CRISSAA, Ubong Sam, disclosed the rates during an interactive session with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Calabar.
Sam said the tariffs were moderate compared with what obtains in neighbouring states, adding that CRISSAA had introduced measures to regulate advertising spaces and ensure fairness among political parties and candidates.
“We have tried to regulate advert space, by not allowing anybody to insult the integrity of anybody or party, by being fair in all ramifications, by giving advertisers opportunity to either dialogue or arbitration and not necessarily by litigation,” he said.
The CRISSAA boss also directed political parties to remove their campaign billboards and other advertising materials within 30 days after the announcement of election results.
According to him, campaign materials left beyond the 30-day period would be considered a nuisance.
“Immediately after each election, at the expiration when results are announced, political parties are given 30 days to take off their campaign materials. Once it’s beyond 30 days, the advert materials become a nuisance,” Sam said.
He warned that defaulters could have their campaign materials removed, pay fines or face prosecution before the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
While IPAC state chairman, Effiom Edet, backed the tariffs and described them as fair, some political parties rejected the charges.
The state chairman of the Action Democratic Party and the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the tariffs as outrageous and exorbitant, arguing that they could prevent less financially buoyant parties from using billboards to publicise their campaigns.
PDP spokesman, Mike Ojisi, said he was not part of any IPAC meeting where the tariffs were agreed.
“The tariff is outrageous, exorbitant and a ploy to prevent other political parties from carrying out massive publicity through billboards. The tariff is totally unacceptable,” he said.
The new charges are expected to fuel further debate among political parties and stakeholders as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesman for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign, has threatened to institute a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged defamatory statements.
Olajengbesi, through his lawyer, Hammed Lasisi, Esq., issued the threat in a letter dated August 12, 2026, demanding that the senator retract the statements and issue an unequivocal public apology within 24 hours.
The lawyer said the statements were made by Fadahunsi during television interviews on Viable TV on July 2 and Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 11.
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According to the letter, Fadahunsi allegedly questioned Olajengbesi’s identity and origin, stating that he was “not even from the same Ijebu-Jesha” and was “from somewhere in Ogun State.”
The senator also allegedly accused the campaign spokesman of “using thugs, Eiye and Aye.”
Olajengbesi’s lawyer argued that the remarks suggested that his client sponsored, associated with or deployed thugs and members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups for political activities.
The letter further cited Fadahunsi’s appearance on Politics Today, where he allegedly said of the late Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba: “Rogba is an Eiye man sponsored by Barr. Olajengbesi terrorising the whole … my own territory up and down through all these Eiye and Aye.”
Olajengbesi denied the allegations, describing them as false, defamatory and injurious to his personal, professional and political reputation.
He maintained that he had never sponsored, financed, supported or patronised any cult group or its members for criminal, political or unlawful activities.
He also denied authorising anyone to terrorise, intimidate or attack members of the public on his behalf.
According to his lawyer, the allegation of sponsoring cultists and persons involved in acts of terror amounted to an accusation of criminal conduct and was particularly damaging to Olajengbesi as a legal practitioner and public figure.
The campaign spokesman has therefore demanded that Fadahunsi retract the alleged defamatory statements through the same media and social media platforms where they were published or disseminated.
He also demanded an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” through appropriate national and social media platforms.
The lawyer warned that failure to comply within 24 hours would prompt Olajengbesi to approach the court to seek ₦10 billion in general and aggravated damages for defamation and injurious falsehood.
The dispute comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
At least 44 people have died after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, with authorities continuing the search for possible survivors and missing passengers.
The ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, overturned on Tuesday while carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and an unspecified number of children.
According to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit, the vessel had a capacity of 90 people, indicating that it was carrying more passengers than its stated limit.
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Authorities initially reported that 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered. However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police later announced on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 44.
“The ZRP informs the public that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44,” the police said in a statement posted on X.
A witness, Maxton Kanhema, told AFP that the ferry had departed in bad weather and may have been hit by a strong wave, causing its engines to switch off.
He said rescuers responded after a distress signal was seen and that bodies could be seen in the water.
“People were in distress… There were bodies in the water, and it was a sad situation to witness. Those that could be rescued were rescued,” Kanhema said.
A national park provided a helicopter to support the rescue operation, while larger boats, local divers and soldiers also joined the search.
The Civil Protection Unit said a specialised aquatic rescue team had been airlifted to the area. The 77 rescued passengers were taken to Long Island, located in the middle of the lake.
Two funeral parlours were also engaged to collect the recovered bodies as the search continued for anyone still unaccounted for.
The ferry serves communities between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing villages around Lake Kariba.
Lake Kariba, which lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is more than 300 kilometres northeast of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. It is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume.
The incident is one of the worst recorded passenger boat disasters on Lake Kariba.
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