Femi Falana
Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Federal Government to intervene and curb Dangote Refinery’s alleged attempt to prevent newly hired drivers from joining established trade unions, labeling the policy a violation of Nigerian and international laws.
On Sunday, Falana issued a statement condemning the Dangote Group’s reported requirement for compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers to sign contracts prohibiting union membership.
He argued that this move contravenes Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 12 of the Trade Union Act, and Article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
“The policy of the Dangote Group also breaches international agreements, including the ILO’s Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (1948, No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (1949, No. 98),” Falana stated.
In response to the refinery’s actions, the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) announced that its members would commence an indefinite strike starting September 9, 2025, to protest the anti-union policy. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has pledged to suspend lifting and dispensing petroleum products for three days from September 9 in solidarity. However, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) have distanced themselves from the strike.
Falana urged swift action, stating, “The Registrar of Trade Unions should call the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to order without delay, while the Federal Competition and Consumer Commission must halt the monopolistic practices of the Dangote Group, which violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.” He further criticized the company’s broader conduct, noting, “The Dangote Group is determined to obliterate trade unions in Nigeria because it has been allowed to operate outside the ambit of the law.”
Supporting NUPENG’s industrial action, Falana emphasized the historical significance of workers’ rights, saying, “The struggle of Nigerian workers to unionize was fought and won under British colonial rule. We stand firmly with NUPENG against the erosion of workers’ rights to unionize.”
