By Fiscal Posts
Efforts by the federal government to broker peace between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group collapsed on Monday after union leaders staged a dramatic walkout.
The meeting, convened in Abuja by Labour Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, was aimed at resolving disputes over unionisation at Dangote’s refinery and petrochemical plants. While Dangote representatives reportedly agreed in principle to allow workers to join NUPENG, the talks broke down during the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Tensions boiled over when the union accused the company of attempting to water down commitments in the MoU, prompting NUPENG’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, to lead their team out of the session. They were backed by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) officials and representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The sticking points centered on issues regarding job security guarantee and worker benefits. NUPENG reportedly wanted assurances that workers would receive enhanced work protections and adequate mechanism for settling industrial disputes, among others.
The Dangote Group was represented by Sayyu Cantata and Otunba Jibrin, while NLC leaders including Benson Upah, Onyeka Chris, and Echezona Azuzu also attended. The stalemate now raises fears of an escalation that could trigger industrial action with severe implications for the nation’s energy sector.