PEWAI Hails Dangote for Protecting Workers’ Rights, Economy
- The coalition praised Dangote Refinery and management for respecting workers’ rights, following the suspension of a planned NUPENG strike
- The MoU guarantees free unionisation for refinery employees, with no risk of victimisation, and sets a two-week timeline for the process
- PEWAI highlighted Dangote’s commitment to industrial harmony, warning unions against actions that could disrupt fuel supply, job security, and economic stability
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).
PEWAI: MoU averts refinery shutdown
Source: Facebook
In a statement on Wednesday, September 19, 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.
PEWAI: Workers’ rights guaranteed
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, Daily Independent reported.
The process of unionisation is expected to commence immediately and conclude within two weeks, from September 9 to 22, 2025.
PEWAI lauds responsible leadership
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.
“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.
Warning against industrial disruptions
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.
Call for industry-wide adoption
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.
Source: Legit.ng
