The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its strike after reaching an agreement with Dangote Refinery to recognize workers’ rights to unionize. The deal was brokered at a closed-door meeting convened by the Department of State Services (DSS) and attended by the Minister of Finance, as well as representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to allow employees who wish to unionize to do so, with the process set to commence immediately and be completed within two weeks. The MOU also stipulates that the employer will not set up any other union, and no worker will be victimized as a result of the strike.

The strike, which began on Monday, was sparked by allegations that Dangote Refinery was hiring new drivers on the condition that they not join the union. However, the company’s management denied these claims, describing them as “cheap blackmail.” The dispute has now been resolved, with NUPENG suspending its strike with immediate effect.

The agreement is significant, as it marks a major victory for workers’ rights in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The Dangote Refinery, which is the largest in Africa, has been at the center of controversy in recent months, with concerns raised about its dominance in the market and potential monopoly.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment played a key role in brokering the agreement, with the Minister of Labour set to receive a report on the progress of the unionization process in a week’s time. The Nigeria Labour Congress and other labor unions also welcomed the agreement, which they see as a major step forward for workers’ rights in the country.

The suspension of the strike is expected to bring relief to motorists and businesses, who had been bracing themselves for potential fuel shortages. Dangote Refinery had maintained that there was no fuel shortage, despite the strike, and that talks were ongoing to resolve the dispute. With the agreement now in place, the company can focus on its plans to deploy thousands of compressed natural gas-powered trucks nationwide to distribute petrol.