Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s newest and biggest refinery, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, has bowed to labour pressure after an intense showdown with oil sector unions forced the company to allow unionization of its workforce for the first time.
The agreement, reached yesterday in Abuja after a marathon meeting convened by the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, ended one day of strike action by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN.
Labour leaders had accused Dangote Refinery of blocking employees from joining registered unions in violation of extant labour laws. The strikes, which paralysed petroleum supply and sent fuel prices skyrocketing nationwide, compelled the billionaire-owned refinery to soften its stance.
According to a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by all parties, Dangote Refinery agreed that its employees have the right to freely unionise.
“Since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees who are willing to unionise. The process shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (September 9–22, 2025),” the communique stated.
The document, signed by Sayyu Dantata on behalf of Dangote Refinery, alongside Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Nuhu Toro of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, stressed: “The employer cannot set up any other union. No worker or employee will be victimised for participating in the strike or choosing to unionise.”
The outcome as a major victory for Nigerian labour, with NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, insisting that the agreement “reaffirms the rights of workers to organise and to freely associate, no matter the size or status of the employer.”
Similarly, PETROAN National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed that the association had also suspended its strike in line with the resolution.
“Normalcy will return as our members resume dispensing nationwide. This agreement shows that labour’s voice cannot be ignored in shaping the future of Nigeria’s downstream sector,” he said.
The truce also came after intervention by key government officials, including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Labour Minister Mohammed Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. The DSS played a mediatory role throughout the tense negotiations.
Key Resolutions from Dangote–Labour Truce
Unionization Rights: Employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals are free to unionize under recognized labour unions.
Timeline: The unionization process must begin immediately and be completed between September 9–22, 2025.
No Parallel Union: Management of Dangote Refinery is prohibited from establishing any alternative or parallel union.
Non-Victimization: No worker will be penalized or victimized for participating in the strike or exercising unionization rights.
Labour–Employer Engagement: Parties will reconvene with the Labour Minister one week after unionization concludes to review progress.
Suspension of Strike: NUPENG and PETROAN agreed to suspend their industrial action with immediate effect.
