The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially called off its strike following a truce brokered by the Department of State Services (DSS) between the Federal Government, oil sector stakeholders, and organised labour.
The breakthrough came after a high-level meeting held in Abuja, which brought together top government officials, representatives of Dangote Refinery, and leaders from major labour unions.
In attendance were the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and a Dangote Refinery team led by Alhaji Sayyu Dantata.
Labour was represented by NUPENG’s Akpouha Williams, Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Dr. N.A. Toto, mni+, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Following extensive deliberations, all parties agreed to uphold labour laws, particularly reaffirming that no worker should be forced to join a union, and every employee retains the right to freely associate—or not—with any labour organisation.
Other outstanding disputes were addressed, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by all parties involved.
The resolution led to the immediate suspension of NUPENG’s strike, which had posed a significant threat to the nation’s fuel supply chain.
Government representatives welcomed the agreement as a major step toward sustaining industrial harmony, while labour leaders emphasized their continued commitment to defending workers’ rights within the framework of the law.
