The standoff between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery has taken a new turn as both parties recommitted to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a high-stakes meeting at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
For weeks, tension has brewed over the refinery’s reluctance to fully recognise workers’ rights to unionise. On Friday, September 12, 2025, labour leaders, refinery executives, and government officials met again to iron out the crisis — a development that could shape the future of Nigeria’s most ambitious energy project.
The Heart of the Dispute: Workers’ Right to Unionise
NUPENG insists that employees of Africa’s largest single-train refinery must be allowed to join a union, in line with Nigeria’s labour laws. Dangote Refinery has now agreed to implement this within a two-week period, from September 9 to 22, 2025.
The agreement also includes a strong safeguard: no worker will face victimisation for taking part in unionisation efforts or for supporting strike actions previously threatened by the union.
Who Was at the Table?
The DSS mediated the talks, with Finance Minister Wale Edun, Labour Ministry representatives, and leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in attendance. Their presence highlights how seriously the federal government views the refinery–union clash, given its potential impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply and economy.
Why This Matters
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For workers: It could set a precedent for how private mega-projects in Nigeria treat unionisation.
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For the refinery: Industrial harmony is essential for smooth operations at a facility expected to transform fuel distribution in Africa’s biggest oil producer.
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For Nigerians: Any disruption at Dangote Refinery risks sparking another fuel crisis, a scenario the country can hardly afford.
Will the Deal Hold?
This is not the first time both sides have signed an MoU. NUPENG had earlier suspended strike action after a similar agreement, only to accuse management of reneging on its promises. Labour leaders are clear this time: “only action, not paperwork,” will restore trust.
The Bigger Picture
Dangote Refinery is seen as a game-changer that could end Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel. But as this saga shows, massive industrial projects cannot thrive without respecting workers’ rights. For now, the spotlight remains on how faithfully Dangote Refinery implements the agreement — and whether NUPENG will be satisfied enough to keep strikes off the table.
