Dangote Accuses NUPENG of ₦50,000 Levies Per Truck, Warns of Rising Fuel Prices

By DAYO ADESULU

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of imposing levies of up to ₦50,000 per truck at the Dangote Refinery, warning that the charges could push up fuel pump prices and worsen the burden on Nigerian consumers.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Dangote described the alleged fees as unsustainable rent-seeking practices that undermine efficiency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“If a truck is going to load, NUPENG has been collecting about ₦48,000 to ₦50,000. By the time everyone takes their share, the total rises to around ₦80,000 to ₦84,000. Who pays for that cost? The consumer pays,” Dangote said.

Dangote vs. NUPENG Over CNG Trucks

The billionaire industrialist was reacting to NUPENG’s claims that Dangote Group is preventing drivers of its newly launched 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks from joining the union. Dangote dismissed the claims, stressing that union membership must be voluntary under Nigeria’s constitution and labour laws.

“Even religion is voluntary—you cannot force anyone to convert. The same applies to union membership,” he added.

NUPENG Responds

When contacted, NUPENG President Williams Akporeha did not directly confirm or deny the ₦50,000 levy allegations. Instead, he replied cryptically:

“₦50,000 now? No more ₦1 per litre?”

This appeared to reference earlier viral claims that the union imposed a ₦1 per litre charge on petroleum products, which Akporeha had previously dismissed.

Industry Reactions

Energy law expert Professor Dayo Ayoade questioned the legality of the alleged levies.

“The job of a union is to assist its members and protect their jobs. It doesn’t have the right to tax or collect fees for fuel loading. Is NUPENG now a tax-collecting agency?” he asked.

He further suggested that Dangote’s decision to build an in-house fleet was a way to avoid being “held hostage” by transporters and external groups.

Fuel Prices Under Pressure

Analysts warn that hidden charges at the refinery level could further inflate fuel pump prices, already strained by foreign exchange pressures, logistics costs, and inflation.

Such costs, if verified, could act as an informal tax on energy consumers, undermining the government’s push to stabilize fuel prices and encourage the adoption of cleaner alternatives like CNG.

Government Intervention

The controversy follows NUPENG’s recent blockade of the Dangote Refinery over unionisation disputes, which forced the Federal Government to intervene and broker a memorandum of understanding. However, tensions remain despite a court order restraining NUPENG from further blockades.

Dangote’s Strategy

To reduce reliance on third-party transporters and unions, Dangote Group has invested in 4,000 CNG-powered trucks to distribute petroleum products nationwide. This, according to Dangote, is part of the company’s energy transition strategy to cut diesel dependence, lower costs, and guarantee uninterrupted refinery operations.

Calls for Action

Experts are now urging the government to:

• Investigate the alleged ₦50,000 truck levies.
• Clarify regulatory frameworks for fuel loading charges.
• Balance workers’ rights with consumer protection.

With Nigerians already battling high fuel costs, the outcome of this dispute could play a decisive role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s refining and fuel distribution sector.