According to a report by The Vanguard on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Dangote Group has agreed in principle to allow workers at its refinery and petrochemicals plants to join the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
This marks a significant step in the long-running dispute over unionisation at one of Africa’s largest industrial projects.
Sources confirmed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is being prepared for signing, with a two-week window proposed for implementation.
However, final agreement has been delayed due to disagreements over the wording of the communiqué expected to formalise the deal.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, convened the meeting aimed at ending the standoff between the company and the union.
While Dangote reportedly conceded on the core issue of allowing staff to unionise, the talks stalled over the precise language to be used in the final document.
The refinery, central to Nigeria’s energy sector ambitions, has faced repeated controversies over labour relations. NUPENG has long demanded the right to organise Dangote’s workers, accusing the company of resisting unionisation.
With this breakthrough, attention now turns to how quickly the MoU can be signed and implemented, and whether the deal will truly open the door to full union rights at the refinery.