The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has finally suspended its nationwide strike after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals on the contentious issue of workers’ unionisation.
Pinnacle Daily reports that NUPENG embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday, 8 September, over an alleged attempt by the Dangote Refinery management to prevent its CNG truck drivers from joining labour unions.
The two-day industrial action forced several fuel stations across the country to shut down over supply challenges.
A conciliation meeting convened on Monday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, ended in a stalemate. NUPENG President Williams Akporeha, had said the representative of the Dangote refinery, Sayyu Dantata, walked out of the meeting.
The minister convened another conciliation meeting on Tuesday, 9 September, to resolve the issue between the parties.
According to the MoU signed by the Dangote Group, labour unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG), NMDPRA and the Minister of Labour, Dangote refinery agreed that its employees are free to join recognised labour unions.
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The parties agreed that the process of unionization of the employees shall begin immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th September to 22nd September 2025).
Part of the MoU reads: “That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionize.
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“That the process of unionization shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th–22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union.
“Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will be victimized.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
