A coalition of civil society organisations has thrown its weight behind Dangote Petroleum Refinery in its dispute with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over employees’ freedom to join or decline union membership.
Members of the group—which include Civil Rights Defenders Advocates, Citizens for Economic Justice and the Nigeria Freedom Network—revealed on Wednesday that they will bring a legal challenge against NUPENG for what they contend are coercive tactics amounting to “economic terrorism.”
At a press briefing in Abuja, Dr Agabi Emmanuel, convener of the coalition, accused NUPENG of violating workers’ constitutional protections by forcing refinery staff, among them truck drivers, into membership through threats of blockades and harassment.
“This is not unionism; it is extortion dressed in the garb of workers’ rights,” Emmanuel said, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which upholds freedom of association and the choice not to belong to any union.
The coalition further alleges that NUPENG obstructed non-union personnel from loading fuel and sealed lorry operations to assert dominance—actions it argues breach the Trade Unions Act and the Trade Disputes Act.
In contrast, the CSOs commended Dangote Petroleum Refinery for embracing voluntarism and maintaining secure working conditions, while condemning NUPENG’s “strong-arm tactics” for endangering Nigeria’s energy security.
Emmanuel warned that the coalition will pursue proceedings against any entity that imposes compulsory unionisation. “The right to choose is non-negotiable,” he stated.
The group also called on the Department of State Services to investigate alleged backers of NUPENG and reports of intimidation involving naval officers and helicopter surveillance.
“Any individual or group found complicit must face prosecution for economic terrorism,” Emmanuel declared, labelling Dangote Refinery as a “cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy security.”
Concluding their briefing, the CSOs urged the Federal Government, civil society and international labour bodies to reject what they described as NUPENG’s “economic blackmail” and to endorse measures that ensure industrial harmony.
“The Nigerian people have had enough,” Emmanuel stated. “We will not tolerate any group holding our nation to ransom.”