Barely 48 hours after suspending its nationwide strike, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Dangote Refinery of reneging on an agreement reached during government-brokered talks.
In a statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union warned it may resume its suspended industrial action if the refinery continues to disregard the resolution.
“We are by this statement placing all our members on red alert for the resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action,” the union said, calling on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups to show solidarity.
The union alleged that despite agreeing to allow workers unionise, Dangote management directed truck drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their vehicles on Wednesday — a move the union described as a clear violation of the deal.
The agreement was reached earlier this week at a meeting convened by the Department of State Services (DSS), attended by Finance Minister Wale Edun, labour leaders, and representatives of the Dangote Group.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by all parties had affirmed workers’ rights to unionisation, with the process expected to begin immediately and be completed within two weeks. It also guaranteed that no employee would be victimised for union activity.
Dangote Refinery has denied allegations of anti-labour practices, dismissing them as “cheap blackmail.”
The refinery — commissioned last year with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day — is Africa’s largest. While it has helped drive down petrol prices and reduce imports, its market dominance has raised monopoly concerns.
NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch had first launched the strike on Monday, alleging that the company was hiring new drivers on the condition that they avoid union membership.
The Ministry of Labour is expected to issue a formal statement on the dispute, while parties are to report back on the unionisation process later this month.
