Dangote Refinery makes U-turn, agrees to NUPENG unionisation demand
Dangote Refinery has finally bowed to pressure from the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) by agreeing to allow its employees to unionize.
The breakthrough followed a tense conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Tuesday, after NUPENG embarked on an industrial action over workers’ rights.
The union had accused the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals of refusing to allow employees to be unionized under any registered labour union, contrary to provisions of Nigeria’s labour laws. The Minister of Labour quickly waded into the crisis and invited both parties for dialogue.
During the meeting, the management of Dangote Refinery acknowledged that unionization is a right guaranteed under Nigerian law. It clarified that it was not averse to workers joining labour unions, stressing that its operations would align with existing labour statutes.
After hours of deliberation, both sides reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that affirmed the rights of employees to freely join NUPENG or any registered union of their choice. The management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed that unionization will begin immediately and must be completed within two weeks, between September 9 and 22, 2025.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties:
“That since workers’ unionization is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionization of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionize.
“That the process of unionization shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th 22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union.
“Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote refinery and Petrochemical will be victimized.
“Parties will revert to the Minister of Labour a week after the conclusion of the engagement.
“Based on the MoU, NUPENG agreed to suspend the industrial action with immediate effect.” The communiqué reads
The MoU was formally signed by key stakeholders, including Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group; Comrade Akporeha Williams, President of NUPENG; Comrade Benson Upah, representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and Comrade Gen. Toro, representing the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Also signing was Amos Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment.
