The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its industrial action following a crucial agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery to acknowledge and respect workers’ rights to freely unionise.
The breakthrough came during a closed-door negotiation mediated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Confirming the outcome, Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, stated that the agreement clears the way for peaceful industrial relations at the refinery and addresses the union’s core demand.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment is expected to release a formal statement soon to detail the terms and implementation framework of the agreement.
NUPENG had on Friday declared its intention to stop loading fuel this week over allegations that the Dangote refinery planned to ban the drivers recruited for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.
The suspension of the strike comes as a relief amid growing concerns over potential disruptions to fuel distribution and economic activity.
