By Seyi Gesinde
September 9, 2025
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its nationwide strike after reaching a significant agreement with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The strike, which began on Monday, September 8, 2025, was in protest of the company’s alleged refusal to allow its employees to join recognised labour unions.
The breakthrough came during a high-level conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with the intervention of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Key participants included Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The Dangote Group was represented by Managing Director Sayyu Dantata.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by all parties, affirming that unionization is a fundamental right under Nigerian labor laws.
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The agreement stipulates that the process of unionisation for Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals employees will commence immediately and be completed within two weeks, by September 22, 2025.
The MoU also includes provisions to prevent victimization of workers and prohibits the establishment of alternative unions by the employer.
Following the signing of the MoU, NUPENG has directed its members to resume normal operations, effectively ending the strike.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has scheduled a follow-up meeting with all parties for one week after the completion of the unionisation process to review compliance and address any outstanding issues.
This resolution marks a significant step toward ensuring workers’ rights are upheld in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
