The looming strike action by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been averted as Dangote Refinery on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formally recognising the right of its employees to unionise.

This breakthrough followed a marathon conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, after negotiations between the refinery management and labour leaders collapsed on Monday night.

The MoU, sighted by our correspondent, carried the signatures of the Managing Director of Dangote Group, Sayyu Dantata; NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha; NUPENG General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale; and the Director of Trade Union Services at the Labour Ministry, Falonipe Amos.

It was also signed by Comrade Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Nuhu Toro of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), O.K. Ukoha of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Otunba Jibrin representing the Dangote Group.

The agreement confirmed that management is not opposed to the unionisation of workers in line with extant labour laws.

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It further resolved that the unionisation process at both Dangote Refinery and Dangote Petrochemicals would begin immediately and be completed between September 9 and 22, 2025.

The document also stipulated that the company would not create or support alternative unions, and that no employee would be victimised for joining the exercise.

The parties also agreed to report back to the Labour Minister one week after the process concludes.

In light of the resolutions, NUPENG announced the suspension of its planned industrial action, paving the way for workers to return to their duties and easing fears of disruptions in the nation’s fuel supply chain.

LUKMAN ABDULMALIK
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