The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals on the contentious issue of workers’ unionisation.
The decision followed two days of industrial action by NUPENG members, who accused the Dangote Group of denying employees the right to join recognised labour unions.
The dispute escalated into a standoff, prompting intervention by the federal government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
At a conciliation meeting convened in Abuja by Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to the resolutions, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to allow willing employees to join registered unions.
The unionisation process is to commence immediately and conclude within two weeks, between September 9 and September 22, 2025.
The agreement also provides that no worker will be penalised for participating in the strike.
The MoU read: “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 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 Petrochemicals will be victimised.”
The agreement was signed by representatives of the Dangote Group, NUPENG, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.