Coalition calls for prudent industrial actions, backs NUPENG, Dangote reconciliation
A coalition for oil workers advancement have backed moves to restore normalcy in the petroleum industry, following the reconciliation of warring parties over recent labour union disputes and strike action.
The Petroleum Workers Advancement Initiative, PEWAI, a coalition for the welfare of oil and gas workers, in a statement on Wednesday, hailed the memorandum of understanding, MoU, signed between Dangote Refinery, NUPENG, and other stakeholders, describing it as a decisive step in strengthening industrial harmony.
The group also warned NUPENG and other unions to exercise prudence in pursuing industrial action, stressing that Nigerians will be watching and will not allow any union to derail the ongoing progress in the economy.
The labour group hailed the actions of the parties in the dispute for respecting workers’ rights and safeguarding national economic growth following the suspension of a planned strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG.
The statement signed by its president, Comrade Ebikeme Okorotie, said the agreement reached by the parties effectively shelved the strike that commenced on September 8 but terminated on the 9th.
DAILY POST reports that following the strike by NUPENG over union disputes, involving truck drivers, an MoU was signed by Sayyu Dantata, Representative of Dangote Group, Ogbugo Ukoha, the executive director of distribution systems, storage, and retailing infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Benson Upah, acting general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Nuhu Toro, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
The agreement allows workers at both Dangote Refinery and its petrochemical operations to unionise freely and guarantees that no employee will be victimised for exercising this right. The process of unionisation is expected to commence immediately and conclude within two weeks, from September 9 to 22, 2025.
PEWAI described the resolution as a laudable demonstration of responsible leadership by Dangote, noting that the refinery’s willingness to uphold workers’ constitutional rights signals a commitment to both employee welfare and the broader economic stability of the country.
“By engaging in dialogue, negotiating in good faith, and ensuring that no worker will be victimised, the Dangote Group has set a benchmark for industrial relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” Comrade Okorotie said.
The group also emphasised the national importance of the refinery, noting that any disruption in its operations could have significant repercussions on fuel supply, job security, and economic progress.
“While we acknowledge the right of workers to unionise, this must be balanced with the wider responsibility to the nation,” Okorotie added.
“The refinery represents billions of naira in investment, thousands of jobs, and critical infrastructure. Any action that threatens its operations is an action that threatens all Nigerians.”
PEWAI noted that fostering industrial harmony is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also a catalyst for sustained growth and development.
The coalition commended the roles of the NLC, TUC, and other stakeholders in facilitating the MoU, describing their involvement as critical to averting potential disruption and maintaining confidence in the petroleum sector.
“Industrial disputes are inevitable in any dynamic economy, but the way they are resolved defines the health of the nation’s labour relations and economic trajectory. Dangote’s leadership, combined with the willingness of the union to engage in dialogue, has prevented a crisis and ensured that progress continues,” PEWAI said.
The group further reiterated its call for all unions in the oil and gas sector to act responsibly, warning that while worker rights must be respected, they should not be pursued at the expense of citizens’ economic welfare or national development.
Coalition calls for prudent industrial actions, backs NUPENG, Dangote reconciliation
