NUPENG Suspends Strike as Dangote Refinery Agrees to Workers’ Union Rights

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its threatened strike following an agreement with Dangote Refinery management to formally recognise workers’ rights to unionise. Following the Federal Government brokered peace between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited,  https://democracyradio.ng/fg-brokers-peace-between-nupeng-dangote-as-union-suspends-strike/ both parties have finally decided to come to an agreement

The resolution emerged from a closed-door meeting convened by the Department of State Services (DSS), with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in attendance. Acting NLC General Secretary Benson Upah confirmed the outcome, while the Ministry of Labour said it would issue a formal statement shortly.

The breakthrough followed a conciliation meeting hosted by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday, September 8, 2025, after NUPENG threatened industrial action over the company’s initial refusal to recognise employees’ union rights.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the meeting, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals management agreed that unionisation is a right under existing labour laws and that all employees wishing to join a union would be allowed to do so. The process of unionisation is set to begin immediately and conclude within two weeks, between September 9 and 22, 2025.

The MoU outlined the key resolutions:

“After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties:

‘That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and the unionisation of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionise

‘That the process of unionisation shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th – 22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union.

‘Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical will be victimised,’” the MoU read.

In line with the agreement, NUPENG suspended its strike with immediate effect. Parties involved are expected to report back to the Minister of Labour one week after the completion of the unionisation process.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the management by Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group; O.K. Ukoha of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); and Ojimba Jibrin of Dangote Group. Labour representatives included Benson Upah (NLC), N.A. Toro (Trade Union Congress, TUC), NUPENG President Akporeha Williams, and NUPENG General Secretary Afolabi Olawale. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment was represented by Amos Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services & Industrial Relations, signing on behalf of the Minister.