Ali Ndume Warns Against Demonizing Dangote Refinery Amid NUPENG, DAPPMAN Disputes

Former Senate Leader urges labour unions and regulators to engage Dangote Refinery constructively instead of fueling media sensationalism.

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has cautioned labour unions and oil sector stakeholders against what he described as a “concerted effort” to tarnish the reputation of Dangote Refinery. His warning comes as tensions continue between the refinery, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).

The conflict escalated after NUPENG launched industrial action, temporarily shutting down depots, citing the refinery’s alleged refusal to allow truck drivers to join the union, as required by the Trade Union Act. Simultaneously, DAPPMAN accused Dangote Refinery of undercutting local marketers by selling petroleum products to international traders at lower prices. Although the Department of State Services (DSS) has intervened to mediate the NUPENG dispute, challenges in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector persist.

In a statement released from Abuja, Ndume condemned what he termed a “poisonous media narrative” painting the refinery in a negative light. He urged unions, regulators, and industry stakeholders to prioritize dialogue over media sensationalism. “NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and all concerned parties must engage constructively with Dangote Refinery instead of fueling division,” he said. “Our shared responsibility is to protect labour rights while advancing national development, not to disadvantage ordinary citizens through unnecessary disputes.”

Representing Borno South, Ndume highlighted previous government initiatives to encourage private refinery development, noting that many licensees failed to take action. “Before Dangote took the bold step to build his refinery, several administrations issued licenses to Nigerian entrepreneurs. Yet most did nothing beyond benefiting from crude oil allocation incentives,” he stated. Ndume recalled that 12 private refinery licenses were issued in 2002, followed by nine more in 2007, with additional modular refinery licenses granted during the Buhari administration. “Those now operating as fuel importers chose not to build refineries but accuse Dangote of monopolizing the market,” he added.

Refuting monopoly claims, Ndume emphasized that the Petroleum Industry Act deregulated the sector to encourage fair competition. “There is no monopoly in a deregulated market. No deliberate barriers have been created, and no player enjoys special privileges,” he said.

Ndume called on regulators, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to step in and prevent disputes from disrupting petroleum product distribution. He urged all stakeholders to prioritize national development and consumer welfare over sectional interests.

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