The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals. The strike, which began on Tuesday, was sparked by allegations that the Dangote Group was denying its employees the right to join recognized labor unions.
Following a conciliation meeting convened by Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja. The agreement acknowledges workers’ unionization as a right under extant laws and commits the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals to allowing willing employees to unionize. The unionization process is set to commence immediately and be completed within two weeks, from September 9th to 22nd, 2025.
As part of the agreement, the employer has undertaken not to set up any other union, and no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will be victimized as a result of the strike. The shutdown of several fuel stations across the country, which occurred during the two-day industrial action, is expected to be reversed as normal operations resume.
The strike had significant implications for the country’s fuel supply, with fuel stations closed and services disrupted. However, with the suspension of the strike and the agreement reached, the situation is expected to return to normal. The development highlights the importance of labor rights and the role of unions in protecting workers’ interests.
In the context of labor relations in Nigeria, the agreement between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals sets a precedent for the recognition of workers’ rights to unionize. As the country’s petroleum and natural gas sector continues to evolve, the resolution of this dispute is likely to have significant implications for labor relations and industrial harmony in the sector. With the agreement in place, attention will now focus on the implementation of the MoU and the completion of the unionization process within the stipulated timeframe.
