Fuel Prices Rising Due to Union-Imposed Truck Fees, Says Dangote

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of imposing charges of up to ₦50,000 on every truck loading fuel at the refinery, warning that such levies inevitably increase pump prices and burden consumers.
Speaking with journalists, Dangote described the charges as acts of rent-seeking that undermine efficiency in the sector. He recalled that in his years as a fuel importer, transporters often held the company “by the neck,” a situation that pushed him to establish an in-house fleet managed by his brother.
“Now that we have launched our own CNG trucks, we will not allow any group to hold us hostage. If there is no evacuation, there is nothing we can do,” he said, while stressing that no worker or driver should be forced into union membership.
Responding to questions on alleged unionisation disputes involving Dangote’s newly deployed 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks, the billionaire insisted that membership must remain voluntary. “Even religion is voluntary—you cannot force anyone to convert,” he argued.
Dangote claimed that by the time multiple charges were added, trucks faced total levies of up to ₦84,000 per loading, with consumers ultimately paying the price. NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, only remarking: “₦50,000 now? No more ₦1 per litre?” In an earlier reaction to reports of a ₦1 per litre levy, Akporeha had said: “One can’t stop people from having their opinion. Ask who alleges to provide proof.”
The allegations come after NUPENG recently shut down depots and blockaded the Dangote Refinery over disagreements about drivers’ unionisation. The standoff was later resolved through government intervention and a memorandum of understanding, though tensions remain despite a court order in Abuja restraining the union from further blockades.
Industry experts have questioned the legality of such levies. Professor Dayo Ayoade, an energy law specialist, noted that while unions are meant to protect members’ jobs, “they do not have the right to impose taxes or collect fees for fuel loading.” He added that Dangote’s investment in his own truck fleet could help reduce the influence of a single group over the country’s fuel distribution system.
Analysts argue that hidden costs like these, if confirmed, amount to informal taxes on consumers at a time when pump prices are already pressured by foreign exchange and logistics challenges. They warn that unchecked charges could derail confidence in Nigeria’s refining sector just as the country begins to benefit from local production.
As part of efforts to reduce costs and dependence on diesel imports, Dangote Group has invested in 4,000 eco-friendly CNG trucks to distribute products nationwide. Experts say the move is not only a business strategy but also a demonstration of commitment to Nigeria’s energy transition.
They have urged the Federal Government to investigate the claims, establish a clear framework for truck loading charges, and balance workers’ rights with consumer protection in order to safeguard the stability of the downstream sector.