By Atoyebi Nike
Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of collecting as much as ₦50,000 on every truck loading fuel at his refinery, warning that such charges ultimately inflate pump prices and burden consumers.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Dangote said, “By the time everybody collects their own, you are talking about ₦80,000 to ₦84,000. Who pays for that cost? The consumer actually pays.” He described the alleged levies as rent-seeking practices that hurt efficiency.
NUPENG neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. Its President, Williams Akporeha, responded vaguely: “₦50k now? No more ₦1 per litre?” In past denials, the union had dismissed similar accusations.
Dangote insisted union membership should remain voluntary and warned against coercion of drivers into joining NUPENG. He said the Dangote Group had deployed 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks to maintain independence from external pressures.
Energy experts have raised concerns about the legality of NUPENG’s alleged charges, with Professor Dayo Ayoade questioning whether the union has “overstepped its mandate.” Analysts warn such levies, if proven, amount to an informal tax that worsens energy affordability for households and businesses.
The development follows recent clashes between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG over drivers’ unionisation, with the Federal Government intervening to ease tensions. Calls are now growing for an official investigation and regulatory clarity to protect both workers and consumers.
