The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Tuesday suspended its nationwide strike after the Department of State Services (DSS) brokered an agreement between the federal government, Dangote Refinery, and organised labour.
The resolution followed a high-level meeting in Abuja attended by Finance Minister Wale Edun, Labour Minister Mohammed Dingyadi, Minister of State for Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, DSS officials, representatives of Dangote Refinery led by Sayyu Dantata, and leaders of NUPENG, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The industrial action had disrupted fuel supply in several states, causing long queues, transport shutdowns, and black market sales. In Enugu and Akure, transport fares spiked as petrol sold for as high as ₦2,500 per litre, while parts of Delta, Edo, and Kano recorded partial or minimal compliance.
After hours of negotiations, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) affirming that Dangote Refinery employees have the right to join registered trade unions if they so choose. The agreement also barred the refinery from establishing a parallel workers’ body and guaranteed that no employee would face victimisation for union activities. The unionisation process is expected to be completed within two weeks, between September 9 and 22.
Labour leaders had accused Dangote’s representatives of walking out of earlier meetings, describing the action as “disrespectful.” NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and TUC Secretary Nuhu Toro maintained that the strike was necessary to prevent worker exploitation and protect over 10,000 jobs.
By Tuesday evening, NUPENG formally called off its strike, allowing fuel supply and distribution to resume nationwide.
