NUPENG Suspends Strike After Agreement With Dangote Refinery On Workers’ Union Rights

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its planned strike following a breakthrough agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited. The agreement, reached during a high-level conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on September 8, 2025, marks a turning point in the dispute over workers’ rights to unionise.

The strike threat had been triggered by the refinery’s initial refusal to allow employees to be unionised under registered labour unions, a move NUPENG described as a violation of both constitutional and international labour rights. However, after intervention from the Minister of Labour, with the involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), both parties reached a resolution.

At the meeting, the management of Dangote Refinery agreed that they are “not averse to the unionisation of their employees” and committed to ensuring that unionisation will begin immediately and be completed within two weeks. Importantly, it was also agreed that no employee will be subjected to victimisation or reprisals for participating in the strike action.

This resolution is seen as a significant victory for organised labour, reinforcing the principle of freedom of association and the right of workers to organise for collective bargaining. It also eases tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum distribution sector, which had been at risk of major disruptions had the strike gone ahead.

The agreement demonstrates the power of dialogue in resolving industrial disputes and underscores the importance of respecting workers’ rights in Nigeria’s fast-evolving energy landscape. For NUPENG members, it is not just a suspension of strike action, but a win for labour rights and a reminder that solidarity remains a powerful tool in shaping fair labour practices.

• Lpg
• nupeng
• nigeria
• dangote
• strike
• Lpg i nigeria

Oluwabukola Jimoh

Oluwabukola Jimoh is a dynamic academic writer and captivating energy blogger. She is able to delve into intricate subjects with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, crafting thought-provoking essays that engage and enlighten her readers.