The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly criticized business mogul Aliko Dangote for allegedly preventing workers at his petroleum refinery from joining the union.

Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Olawale Afolabi, the National Secretary of NUPENG, described Dangote’s stance as an outright affront to the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees workers the right to freedom of association.

“Nigerians have been enjoying regular supply of petroleum products, so it’s our duty to serve Nigerians, and we’ve been doing it for years. But suddenly, somebody came around and said he doesn’t want these members to be unionized,” Afolabi said.

He explained that NUPENG had made several efforts to unionize refinery workers but faced constant resistance. According to him, the refusal to allow unionization means workers are denied their right to representation and a collective voice.

Afolabi further stressed the sacrifices tanker drivers and refinery workers make in ensuring fuel distribution across the country, only to be “discarded” without proper recognition or protection.

NUPENG has vowed to continue pushing for the workers’ rights, insisting that no employer — regardless of influence — should deny employees their constitutional rights.