The management of Dangote Refinery has agreed to allow its workers to unionize, following pressure from the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The breakthrough came after a conciliatory meeting convened on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja. The meeting was called in response to an industrial action by NUPENG over workers’ rights.
For months, the union had accused the refinery of blocking employees from joining any registered labour body, a move it described as a violation of Nigerian labour laws. The Minister of Labour intervened by inviting both parties to the negotiation table.
At the meeting, Dangote Refinery’s management clarified that it was not opposed to union membership and recognised that workers’ right to unionise is protected under law. After lengthy discussions, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), affirming that employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals are free to join NUPENG or any union of their choice.
The agreement also outlined that the unionisation process must commence immediately and be completed between September 9 and 22, 2025. The management pledged not to create or sponsor a rival union and assured that no worker would face victimisation over the strike notice.
With this understanding, NUPENG suspended its industrial action.
The MoU was signed by Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group; Comrade Akporeha Williams, NUPENG President; Comrade Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress; Comrade Gen. Toro of the Trade Union Congress; and Amos Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, representing the Labour Minister.
