NUPENG Calls Off Strike

By Ayodele Oni

Fuel supply to filling stations is expected to resume nationwide on Wednesday as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), ended its industrial action following an agreement with the management of Dangote Refinery over workers’ unionisation rights.

NUPENG had embarked on strike since Monday to protest the Dangote Refinery’s refusal to allow its employees to join the union.

Sources disclosed after a prolonged meeting held at the instance of the Minister of Labour and employment and later at the Director General of the State Security Services, agreements were reached with both parties signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU).

It was learnt the MoU was jointly signed by the Managing Director of Dangote Refinery, Sayyu Dantata, the President of NUPENG, Akporeha Williams, and other union leaders.

In the agreement, NUPENG resolved to suspend the strike with immediate effect, paving the way for further engagement on workers’ rights and welfare at the refinery.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is expected to issue a formal statement to provide further details on the agreement and implementation framework.

The suspension of the strike is expected to ease tensions within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where disruptions could have significantly impacted fuel supply and economic activity.

Details of the deal reached between the parties, including timelines for recognising and formalising workers’ union rights, were not immediately disclosed.