Dangote oil workers’ strike talks postponed as union misses crucial meeting

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has yet to respond to the Federal Government’s call for talks aimed at ending the looming strike by Dangote Group oil employees. The mediation session, scheduled for Monday at the Labour Ministry headquarters in Abuja, was stalled as union representatives remained in Lagos.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, convened the gathering to mediate the escalating disagreement between NUPENG and the Dangote Group. The contention centers on the conglomerate’s stance against unionisation, which NUPENG argues threatens the welfare and rights of oil workers vital to refinery operations.

Despite repeated appeals urging the union to reconsider their planned nationwide industrial action, negotiations have hit a deadlock. The labour ministry had emphasized the critical nature of the meeting, but the NUPENG delegation remained in Lagos well into Monday afternoon, coordinating the execution of their strike plan.

A labour source explained that immediate attendance in Abuja was impractical given the short notice. They noted that union leaders needed time to confer with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) before committing to formal talks. Meanwhile, Minister Dingyadi was reported to be in a separate closed-door session with representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association.

NUPENG maintains its position that no employee should be compelled to work without guaranteed union representation, describing Dangote’s policy as restrictive and detrimental to workers’ rights.