Efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) ended in deadlock late Monday, leaving the nationwide industrial action set to continue.
The meeting in Abuja brought together senior government officials, representatives of organised labour, and the Dangote Group in a bid to reach agreement over the unionisation of workers at the new Dangote Refinery.
However, discussions collapsed after sharp disagreements on whether employees should be allowed automatic membership of trade unions.
Labour representatives insisted that workers must be free to unionise under Nigeria’s labour laws and international conventions. The Dangote delegation, however, maintained that union membership should remain optional.
Tensions rose during the talks, with sources confirming that the company’s representative exited the discussions before any compromise could be reached.
Labour leaders said the breakdown of negotiations confirmed their concerns about anti-union practices at Dangote Group companies.
NUPENG President Williams Akporeha accused the refinery of attempting to weaken workers’ rights, while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) vowed to intensify pressure until full compliance with unionisation laws is achieved.
The strike, now entering a critical phase, has raised fears of fuel supply disruptions across the country. Organised labour has already warned that solidarity actions could be extended nationwide if the dispute is not resolved quickly.
The Federal Government expressed disappointment at the outcome but maintained optimism that further talks could still achieve progress.
Officials indicated that another round of negotiations would be convened to prevent the industrial action from escalating into a broader economic crisis.
For now, the strike continues, with no firm resolution in sight.