NUPENG Suspends Nationwide Strike After Deal With Dangote Refinery
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its nationwide strike after reaching a crucial agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, PulseNets learnt on Tuesday.
Fuel scarcity worsened earlier in the week as several filling stations across the country shut their gates, leaving motorists stranded. The disruption stemmed from a two-day industrial action launched by NUPENG over allegations that Dangote Group was preventing workers from exercising their legal right to join recognised labour unions.
Sources at the Ministry of Labour told PulseNets that the breakthrough came after a high-level conciliation meeting convened by Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi in Abuja. Both NUPENG and the Dangote management engaged in marathon negotiations which eventually produced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to the signed MoU obtained by PulseNets, the refinery’s management consented to workers’ right to unionize in line with Nigeria’s labour laws. The document clearly stated:
“Since unionisation is a fundamental right backed by extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals hereby agrees to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and employees of Petrochemicals who voluntarily wish to join.”
The agreement further provided a strict timeline for the process.
“The unionisation exercise shall commence immediately and must be concluded within two weeks, from September 9 to September 22, 2025. It was also agreed that the employer will not establish or sponsor any parallel union.”
In a bid to assure workers of protection, the MoU added:
“No employee of Dangote Refinery or Petrochemicals shall suffer victimisation or retaliation as a result of the strike notice or their decision to unionise.”
Labour sources who spoke to PulseNets confirmed that the suspension of the strike took effect immediately after the signing. They also noted that the resolution marks a significant victory for organised labour and sets a precedent for future disputes over workers’ rights in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Also Read: NUPENG vs Dangote: FG’s High-Level Meeting Ends in Deadlock, Strike Bites Harder
By Tuesday evening, NUPENG leaders had directed striking members to return to work, restoring calm to the downstream petroleum supply chain.
With this agreement, industry watchers say the standoff not only underscores the growing influence of NUPENG in safeguarding workers’ rights but also places Dangote Refinery under close public scrutiny as it prepares to scale operations.
