NUPENG calls off strike after dangote refinery agrees to worker unionisation

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) suspended its two-day strike on Tuesday following a successful meeting with the Federal Government and Dangote Group representatives, addressing workers’ demand to form unions within the refinery.

The industrial action, triggered by objections to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited’s refusal to recognise staff unionisation, came to a halt after a mediation session spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Key stakeholders, including Dangote officials led by Sayyu Dantata and representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, convened to resolve the standoff.

An agreement was reached confirming that employees at the Dangote facilities would have the right to organise themselves under registered labour unions. The management consented to this process, which is scheduled to be completed within two weeks, spanning September 9 to 22, 2025. Crucially, the arrangement forbids the formation of any alternative unions by the employer, ensuring protection against victimisation of union members.

This resolution was formalised in a memorandum signed by representatives from both sides, including NUPENG’s leadership and officials from the labour ministry and regulatory bodies. As a result, NUPENG suspended its industrial action immediately, providing much-needed relief where fuel scarcity had begun to disrupt daily life across various regions.

Prior to the truce, the strike had closed several filling stations and depots nationwide, leading to heightened fuel prices and transport fare hikes in states such as Cross River, Kaduna, Enugu, and Anambra. Commuters faced frustration with costs doubling in some areas as many resorted to purchasing fuel on the black market at exorbitant rates.

NUPENG’s president, Williams Akporeha, had earlier expressed grievances regarding the refinery’s creation of a separate drivers’ association, a development seen as undermining existing union rights. Dialogue had initially faltered, but the recent progress shows a commitment to lawful and fair labour practices.

With the cessation of the protest, fuel distribution is expected to normalise, easing the economic strain experienced by motorists and businesses alike. The union continues to emphasise dialogue as the preferred path to resolving industrial disputes. Stakeholders await the conclusion of the unionisation process by late September, with the government monitoring the implementation closely.