The federal government has waded into the face-off between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery, appealing to the union to suspend its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Minister of labour and employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, on Sunday, confirmed that he has summoned all parties to a conciliation meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The move followed rising tensions over Dangote Group’s alleged policy against unionisation of its workers.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s head of information and public relations, Patience Onuobia, Dingyadi urged NUPENG to rescind its decision to shut down operations in the petroleum sector and appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw the “red alert” it issued to its affiliates in solidarity with the oil workers.
“I have invited all the parties for a conciliation meeting tomorrow, Monday, September 8, 2025. Since I have intervened, I plead with NUPENG to rescind their decision to shut down the petroleum sector from tomorrow.
“The matter will be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” the Minister stated.
