Petroleum Workers Commend Dangote Over Respect for Workers’ Rights, Warn NUPENG Against Derailing Economic Progress

The Petroleum Workers Advancement Initiative (PEWAI), a coalition advocating for the welfare of oil and gas workers and the stability of Nigeria’s economy, has commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the management of Dangote Refinery 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).

In a statement on Wednesday signed by its president, Comrade Ebikeme Okorotie, PEWAI hailed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on September 8 between Dangote Refinery, NUPENG, and other stakeholders as a decisive step in strengthening industrial harmony and advancing economic development.

The MoU, also signed by Sayyu Dantata, managing director of the Dangote Group, Ogbugo Ukoha, 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), effectively shelved the strike that was scheduled to commence on September 8, 2025.

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.

“Dangote’s management has shown that it is possible to respect workers’ rights while simultaneously promoting economic growth,” Comrade Okorotie said. 

“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.”

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. 

PEWAI warned NUPENG and other unions to exercise prudence in pursuing industrial action, stressing that Nigerians will be watching closely and will not allow any union to derail the ongoing progress in the economy being driven by Dangote’s refinery operations.

“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 also urged other corporate players in the petroleum sector to emulate Dangote’s approach by combining respect for workers’ rights with responsible economic stewardship. 

According to the group, 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.

“Dangote has shown that business leadership and national interest can coexist. We expect all stakeholders to maintain this path and for unions to exercise their rights with wisdom and patriotism,” Okorotie said.