The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its nationwide strike following a breakthrough agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited on the issue of workers’ unionization.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, was triggered by the company’s alleged refusal to allow its employees to join the union—an action that had sparked concerns of looming fuel scarcity across the country.
The resolution came after a two-day high-level conciliation meeting convened in Abuja by the Minister of Labour and Employment, with the active involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS). The meeting also had in attendance the Ministers of Labour and Finance, representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The Dangote Group’s delegation was led by its Group Managing Director, Mr. Sayyu Dantata.
Unionization Secured
At the end of the negotiations, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which the Dangote management formally acknowledged that unionization is a fundamental right of its employees. The company pledged to fully respect and implement this right without any interference.
“We are not against unionization. The management will abide by the provisions of the law and guarantee that employees who wish to join unions can freely do so without obstruction,” Mr. Dantata stated after signing the agreement.
The MoU further outlined that:
Unionization of employees must be completed between September 9–22, 2025.
No alternative or employer-sponsored unions will be created.
No worker will face victimization for supporting or participating in the strike or in the unionization process.
Both parties will reconvene and report progress to the Minister of Labour one week after the process concludes.
Labour’s Reaction
Speaking on behalf of the NLC, Acting General Secretary Benson Upah emphasized that the deal represents a victory for workers’ rights.
“This agreement reinforces the principle that unionization is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Nigerian workers at Dangote Refinery will no longer be treated as outsiders in their own industry,” he said.
Signatories
The MoU was signed by Mr. Sayyu Dantata and Otunba Jibrin for the Dangote Group, Comrade Benson Upah for the NLC, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale for NUPENG, Nuhu Toro for the TUC, Mr. O.K. Ukoha for the NMDPRA, and Falonipe Amos for the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
