From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government on Tuesday brokered peace between the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), paving the way for workers of the refinery to unionise.
The agreement was sealed at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment after a conciliation meeting that began on Monday, but was deadlocked until Tuesday. The meeting was convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment following threats by NUPENG to embark on industrial action over alleged refusal by Dangote management to allow employees to join labour unions as well as plans to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct distribution of fuel to retailers.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties at the ministry, the refinery’s management agreed that it was not averse to unionization in line with provisions of extant labour laws.
The document emphasised that since workers’ unionization is a right under the law, employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals who are willing will henceforth be allowed to unionize. It further stated that the unionization process will commence immediately and be concluded within two weeks, spanning from September 9 to 22, 2025.
The parties also agreed that the company will not establish any parallel or alternative union in place of those recognized by law. Another resolution clearly assured that no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals would be victimized as a result of the strike notice earlier issued by the union.
It was further agreed that both parties would report back to the Minister of Labour and Employment a week after the conclusion of the unionization exercise to provide updates on compliance with the agreement.
In view of these resolutions, NUPENG announced the immediate suspension of its planned strike.
“Following the threat to embark on industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over the following points in dispute,
“Refusal of the Management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited to allow their employees to be unionized by registered labour unions.
“A conciliation meeting was held at the instance of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment and it was revealed in the course of the meeting that:
“The management agreed with this fact and responded that they are not averse to the unionization of their employees by labour unions in tandem with the provisions of the extant labour laws.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties: h a t since workers’ unionization is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionization of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionize.
“That the process of unionization 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 victimized.
“Parties will revert to the Honourable Minister of Labour a week after the conclusion of the engagement.
“Based on the MoU, NUPENG agree to suspend hte industrial At action with immediate effect,” the document read.
The MoU was signed on behalf of management by Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group; O.K. Ukoha of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); and Otumba Jibrin of the Dangote Group. Representing organised labour were Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Nubu ToRo General Secretary Generalof the Trade Union Congress (TUC); Akporeha Williams, President of NUPENG; and Afolabi Olawale, General Secretary of NUPENG. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment was represented by Falonipe Amos Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, who signed on behalf of the Minister
