Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has rescheduled the tripartite meeting summoned to resolve the dispute between the management of Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, over alleged anti-union practices.

The meeting, earlier fixed for 3 pm, was brought forward to 10 am in what can be described as a desperate attempt to avert the planned nationwide industrial action by oil workers.

Although the reasons for the time change were not immediately disclosed, sources said it was aimed at halting the strike before it inflicted significant damage on the fragile economy.

However, by 10 am, NUPENG leaders and other stakeholders were still in Lagos, trying to board a flight to Abuja. An official of the Ministry told Vanguard that the meeting could not commence until their arrival.

On Friday, NUPENG accused Aliko Dangote and his associates of pursuing “crude and dangerous anti-union practices, a monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies.” The union alleged that Dangote Refinery pays some of the lowest wages in the oil and gas sector and treats staff “beneath acceptable standards.”

NUPENG also faulted the company’s recruitment conditions, which bar drivers from joining oil and gas unions, describing them as a violation of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and ILO Conventions 98 and 87.

“This marks a dangerous road to fascism in industrial relations, where workers are treated as slaves without voice or dignity,” the union warned.

A letter from the Ministry of Labour, dated September 6, 2025, signed by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Falonipe Amo, on behalf of the minister, invited stakeholders to the tripartite conciliation meeting.

Meanwhile, NUPENG leaders have directed all members nationwide to commence an indefinite strike pending the resolution of their grievances with the Dangote Group.