The Department of State Services (DSS) has brokered peace between Dangote Group and the members of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over dispute that borders on unionisation.
Following a closed-door meeting that was held at the headquarters of the secret police in Abuja, it was learnt that the leadership of NUPENG directed its members to suspend the nationwide industrial action.
Those in attendance include the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Managing Director of Dangote Group, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata led the management of the company to the meeting which began at about 1:35pm and ended around 7:15pm on Tuesday.
Also present at the meeting were Akporeha Williams and Olawale Afolabi, NUPENG President and the General Secretary respectively; Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress; and Nuhu Toro of the Trade Union Congress.
Security sources said that President Bola Tinubu directed the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi to join hands with the Chief conciliator, Dingyadi, to ensure that NUPENG’s actions do not cause untold hardship for Nigerians.
“The President had to intervene in the matter directly by directing the DG DSS and the Minister of Finance to quench the looming industrial disharmony. Their one-day action had already threatened petroleum supply and distribution across the country,” the source said.
The official noted that both parties resolved to uphold existing labour laws, with emphasis that employees must not be compelled to join any union, and should retain the freedom to either affiliate with or decline membership of any labour body.
“After hours of deliberation, it was agreed among all the parties in involved that no employee of the company should be compelled to join any union or association.
“It was also highlighted that every employee has constitutional rights to associate with any labour union or body because Freedom of Association is guaranteed in the existing laws,” the official added.
The earlier peace meeting convened by the Federal Government on Monday ended in stalemate as both parties stuck to their guns during the marathon parley.
Dingyadi had revealed that the meeting would continue to resolve the grey areas.
Checks by our Correspondent showed that the NUPENG’s industrial action took its toll on some states, following the shutdown of filling stations in several parts of the country.
It was learnt that after the meeting, the management of Dangote Group agreed that it would allow its workers to unionise as demanded by NUPENG, saying they should, however, not be compelled to do so if they don’t want.
In a 3-page Memorandum of Understanding, a copy of which was obtained by our Correspondent, the process of unionisation is to be carried out by the NUPENG leadership within two weeks.
Specifically, the document, signed by representatives of NLC, TUC, NMDPRA, Dangote Group and NUPENG, showed that the process will begin on Tuesday, September 9 (today) and end on Monday September 22.
It was also agreed that Dangote Group would not set up any other union to rival NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other unions in the oil and gas sector.
The MoU partly read, “After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties:
“That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionise.
“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 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 Honourable 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.”
Commenting on the development, the NUPENG President described the agreement as a victory for the entire workforce in the country and the masses at large, while thanking the media and other unions for solidarity.
“Victory is ours finally. We have won. We are calling off the strike and resume work. Communique granting recognition for unionisation in Dangote group has been finally signed by all parties. Thank you all for the support and solidarity,” Akporeha said.
