NUPENG Ends Strike as Dangote Refinery Agrees to Unionize Drivers in Landmark Deal
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its two-day strike after reaching an agreement with the Dangote Oil Refinery and the federal government, ensuring workers’ rights to unionize are upheld.
The breakthrough came during a second round of talks on Tuesday, following a failed meeting on Monday.
Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s National President, confirmed that the strike was called off after Dangote management agreed to allow drivers and refinery employees to join labor unions in line with Nigeria’s labor laws.
“The management agreed with this fact and responded that they are not averse to the unionisation of their employees by labour unions in tandem with the provisions of the extant labour laws,” Akporeha told The Punch.
Terms of the Agreement
Key resolutions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) include:
Unionization Rights: Employees of Dangote Refinery and Dangote Petrochemicals may join unions of their choice.
Timeline: The unionization process will begin immediately and must be completed within two weeks (September 9–22, 2025).
No Victimization: No employee will be penalized for participating in union activities.
No Parallel Unions: Management will not establish alternative unions to weaken collective representation.
The MoU was signed by representatives of Dangote Refinery, NUPENG, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Ministry of Labour, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Parties will reconvene in one week to report progress to the Minister of Labour.
Background of the Strike
The strike was triggered by reports that newly hired Dangote drivers were required to forgo union membership, sparking outrage among workers. Akporeha had previously accused Dangote of resisting labor participation in employment matters.
This labor dispute comes as the refinery pursues a major logistics overhaul. In June 2025, Dangote announced plans to deploy 4,000 CNG-powered trucks to establish an in-house fuel distribution network.
The project aims to cut ₦1.7 trillion annually in fuel distribution costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and align with global energy transition goals by reducing carbon emissions and lowering fuel transport costs by up to 40%.
The resolution of the strike not only protects workers’ rights but also sets the stage for more stable labor relations as Dangote rolls out its ambitious logistics strategy.
Industry analysts suggest the agreement could mark a turning point in balancing corporate efficiency with labor rights in Nigeria’s energy sector.
