The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the management of Dangote Refinery have reaffirmed their commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday. This development follows a meeting held on Friday at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, where all parties were urged to maintain the status quo pending a two‑week window.
The agreement was reached after NUPENG suspended its strike action, which had been triggered by the company’s initial refusal to recognize workers’ union rights. The suspension followed a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday, 8 September 2025, attended by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
However, barely 48 hours after suspending the strike, NUPENG threatened to resume industrial action, accusing Dangote Refinery management of breaching the agreement. The union claimed that management had failed to recognize workers’ right to unionize, prompting the renewed threat.
The MoU acknowledges the right of workers to unionize under existing labor laws. It stipulates that the unionization process will begin immediately and be completed within two weeks, from 9 September to 22 September 2025. The employer has also agreed not to establish any other union and to ensure that no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical is victimized. The memorandum was signed by representatives of management, labor unions, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, including Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group, and Akporeha Williams, President of NUPENG.
The dispute between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery has raised concerns about a potential fuel scarcity, which could have far‑reaching implications for businesses and consumers in Nigeria. The country’s economy is heavily reliant on petrol, and a shortage could lead to higher prices for goods and services. The renewed commitment to the MoU is therefore a significant step toward resolving the dispute and averting a potential crisis.
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