The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its two-day nationwide strike after reaching a landmark agreement with the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, following a high-level intervention by the Federal Government.
The strike, which disrupted fuel supply across Nigeria and triggered petrol scarcity and transport fare hikes, was called off on Tuesday after both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Dangote Refinery Labour Dispute Resolved
The standoff began when NUPENG accused the management of the Dangote Refinery of refusing to allow its workers, particularly drivers of its 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, to join registered oil and gas unions.
Following failed talks on Monday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, convened another conciliation meeting on Tuesday.
At the meeting, attended by Dangote representatives led by Sayyu Dantata, NUPENG executives, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and leaders of the NLC and TUC, the refinery management finally agreed to unionise its employees.
According to the MoU:
- Unionisation will commence immediately and must be completed between September 9–22, 2025.
- No worker will be victimised for union activities.
- Dangote Refinery will not set up any alternative or parallel union.
NUPENG Suspends Strike
NUPENG National President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that the union had suspended the strike with immediate effect, describing it as “a victory for Nigerian workers.”
He stressed that unionisation is a fundamental labour right:
“Strikes are part of industrial relations, but under my leadership, it has never been the first option. No employer has the right to enslave workers. Dangote must play by the rules,” Akporeha said.
The agreement was co-signed by Dantata (Dangote Group), Akporeha and Secretary Afolabi Olawale (NUPENG), OK Ukoha (NMDPRA), Amos Falonipe (Labour Ministry), and representatives of the NLC and TUC.
Nigerians Face Fuel Scarcity During Strike
Before its suspension, the strike caused severe fuel shortages in several states:
- Cross River: Transport fares rose from ₦300 to ₦500 as drivers resorted to buying petrol from the black market at ₦1,500 per litre.
- Kaduna: Major filling stations shut down, with motorists trekking long distances in search of fuel. Black market rates hit ₦950 per litre.
- Enugu & Anambra: Stations closed at noon, leading to stranded commuters. Transport fares doubled, with ₦300 routes rising to ₦600.
- Gombe: Prices climbed to ₦1,000 per litre, with marketers citing “uncertainty in supply.”
- Lagos & Ogun: Panic buying worsened queues at filling stations.
However, some states like Kano, Jos, and Zamfara recorded only marginal increases in pump prices.
PETROAN and Depot Shutdowns
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) confirmed that its members also joined the strike. National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, described the action as “a looming danger averted” but thanked the FG for brokering peace.
On Monday and Tuesday, NUPENG officials shut down major petroleum depots, including:
- Aiteo, RainOil, Shell+, Integrated Oil & Gas, Africa Terminals (Lagos)
- Matrix, Parker, AY Shafa, One Terminals (Warri)
- Aradel Refinery (Port Harcourt) and Kwale Hydrocarbon facility (Delta State)
According to Akporeha, compliance was “100 per cent nationwide.”
What Happens Next?
Fuel loading operations are expected to resume by Wednesday, easing scarcity across major cities. Both NUPENG and Dangote Refinery will report back to the Labour Ministry one week after the unionisation process concludes.
For now, Nigerians are hopeful that the agreement will prevent further disruption in the fuel supply chain.
