NUPENG Calls Off Strike After Dangote Agrees to Unionisation Rights
NUPENG has directed members to return to work immediately. The agreement will require both parties to report back to the Minister of Labour one week after the unionisation process concludes.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its nationwide strike following a breakthrough agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited to officially recognise workers’ unionisation rights.
The resolution emerged from a closed-door meeting convened by the Department of State Services, with participation from the Minister of Finance, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) officials, and senior representatives of both NUPENG and Dangote management.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the meeting affirms that unionisation is protected under Nigerian labour law. Management agreed to begin unionisation processes immediately, with the expectation that these will be completed within two weeks, between 9 and 22 September 2025. The MoU explicitly states that no alternate unions will be established and assures that no worker will be victimised for taking part in strike.
NUPENG has directed members to return to work immediately. The agreement will require both parties to report back to the Minister of Labour one week after the unionisation process concludes.
The strike had been prompted by NUPENG’s allegations that Dangote Refinery was denying its drivers the right to join recognised labour unions—a claim Dangote management had previously dismissed as “cheap blackmail”.
The agreement ends a tense standoff that had raised fears of widespread fuel supply disruptions.
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