NUPENG Suspends Strike After Dangote Refinery Agrees to Unionize Workers

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its nationwide strike after successful negotiations with the Dangote Group and federal government officials. The industrial action, which began on Monday, was suspended on Tuesday following a conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment. The dispute centered on allegations that the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals was refusing to allow its employees to unionize.

The breakthrough came after a meeting attended by representatives of the Dangote Group, led by Sayyu Dantata, officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and leaders from NUPENG, the Nigerian Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress. This followed a failed meeting on Monday, which had prompted the union to continue its strike into a second day.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed, in which the Dangote Group management agreed to the unionization of its workers in compliance with Nigerian labour laws. The refinery agreed that employees who are willing to unionize may do so, with the process set to begin immediately and be completed within a two-week timeframe, concluding by September 22, 2025. The agreement also guarantees that no worker will be victimized as a result of the strike and stipulates that the company will not establish an alternative union for its workforce.

The now-suspended strike had a significant impact on fuel supply across the country. Many filling stations in states including Cross River, Kaduna, Enugu, and parts of Lagos and Ogun states were shut down on Tuesday. This led to long queues at stations that remained open, a sharp increase in pump prices, and a corresponding hike in transportation fares, which left many commuters stranded.

With the agreement in place, parties are expected to revert to the Minister of Labour one week after the unionization process is concluded. NUPENG has agreed to suspend all industrial action immediately, allowing for the resumption of normal fuel loading and distribution operations across the nation.