NUPENG, Dangote Refinery Reaffirm MoU Terms Amid Renewed Tensions

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the management of Dangote Refinery have once again pledged to uphold the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in the week, following a new round of high-level negotiations.

Sources revealed that a fresh agreement was reached during a meeting held on Friday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, which involved key stakeholders, resulted in an appeal to all parties to maintain the current status quo over the next two weeks.

This development follows NUPENG’s decision on Tuesday to suspend its nationwide strike after the union secured a commitment from Dangote Refinery to recognise workers’ right to unionise. That agreement was reached at a closed-door session facilitated by the DSS and attended by Finance Minister Wale Edun, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) officials, and other stakeholders.

The initial resolution stemmed from a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday, September 8, 2025, in response to NUPENG’s strike threat over the refinery’s previous stance against worker unionisation.

However, tensions escalated again within 48 hours of the strike suspension. NUPENG accused the refinery management of violating the agreement involving the company, the Federal Government, and unionised truck drivers under NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch. In a joint statement by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union warned of a potential resumption of its suspended strike, urging both local and international labour allies to prepare for action in solidarity.

The signed MoU affirms that employees of Dangote Refinery and its petrochemical unit have the right to unionise under Nigerian labour laws. Both sides agreed that the unionisation process would begin immediately and conclude within two weeks (September 9–22, 2025). It was also agreed that the management would not interfere or attempt to establish a rival union.

Among the resolutions detailed in the MoU:

• The right to unionise was acknowledged in line with applicable labour laws.
• The process of unionisation would commence without delay and be finalised within a two-week period.
• No employee will face retaliation or victimisation due to the strike or their participation in union activities.

The agreement was endorsed by Dangote Group Managing Director Sayyu Dantata, O.K. Ukoha (representing the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority), and Ojimba Jibrin (Dangote Group). Labour representatives included Benson Upah (NLC), N.A. Toro (Trade Union Congress), and NUPENG executives Akporeha Williams and Afolabi Olawale. Amos Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, signed on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The dispute has raised fears of a looming fuel shortage, with potential ripple effects on the economy. In a country heavily reliant on petrol for daily operations, any disruption in supply could significantly drive up the cost of goods and services nationwide.