The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the management of Dangote Refinery have once again pledged to uphold the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed earlier in the week. The reaffirmation followed a high-level meeting convened on Friday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
According to sources, the DSS appealed to both sides to maintain the status quo for at least two weeks, giving room for a full resolution of outstanding concerns. The meeting was attended by top labour leaders, refinery representatives, and government officials, including Finance Minister Wale Edun.
The development comes amid heightened concerns over industrial unrest in the petroleum sector. NUPENG had earlier suspended its strike on Tuesday after Dangote Refinery agreed to recognise workers’ rights to unionise. However, within 48 hours, the union threatened to resume strike action, accusing the refinery of violating the agreement.
NUPENG Concerns and Strike Threats
Barely two days after halting its strike, NUPENG accused Dangote Refinery of reneging on the deal reached during earlier negotiations. The union alleged breaches relating to the recognition of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a key affiliate group under its umbrella.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG placed its members on red alert and warned of a possible nationwide shutdown. The union also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society organisations, and international labour allies to stand in solidarity should the refinery fail to honour its commitments.
Labour analysts noted that the situation has raised fears of fuel scarcity, given the centrality of NUPENG’s tanker drivers in petroleum distribution. A prolonged disruption could impact transport, businesses, and general living costs across the country.
Terms of the Memorandum of Understanding
The MoU signed earlier in the week, and now reaffirmed, provides that workers at Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals have the legal right to unionise under Nigerian labour laws. It stipulates that the process of unionisation should commence immediately and be concluded between September 9 and 22, 2025.
Both parties agreed that no parallel unions would be created, and no employee would be victimised for exercising their rights. The MoU was signed by representatives of Dangote Group, NUPENG, NLC, TUC, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
While the new DSS-brokered settlement has provided temporary relief, industry observers stress that its success will depend on strict adherence to the two-week timeline for unionisation. Any breach, they warn, could trigger fresh industrial action with nationwide consequences.
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