Dangote Refinery Assures No Fuel Shortage Amid Tanker Drivers’ Strike

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has assured the public that the ongoing strike by fuel tanker drivers will not lead to a shortage of petrol, despite the industrial action which began on Monday.

According to refinery spokesman Anthony Chiejina, “There is no fuel shortage; everything is going on.” He confirmed that negotiations are ongoing between the union, government, and the company.

The strike was called by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which alleges that Dangote Refinery is hiring new drivers on the condition that they do not join the union—a claim strongly denied by the company. Chiejina dismissed the allegations as “cheap blackmail.”

The refinery, which began operations last year with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and driven down consumer prices. However, its growing influence has raised concerns about market dominance as it hires its own drivers, disrupting a long-established transport system operated by more than 20,000 diesel tankers.

NUPENG has received support from both local groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, and international unions. The outcome of the ongoing talks could have considerable implications for Nigeria’s energy sector and labour relations.