The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its two-day strike after the Dangote Refinery accepted to allow employees join recognised labour unions.

The strike, which had shut down depots and filling stations in parts of Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Enugu, and Anambra, triggered panic buying and sharp increases in fuel prices and transport fares nationwide.

At a reconciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour on Tuesday, representatives of Dangote Refinery, labour unions, and government officials signed an agreement granting workers the right to unionise under existing oil and gas unions. The process is to be completed within two weeks, with assurances that no worker will face victimisation.

NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, described the suspension as a step in the right direction but warned that the union would not hesitate to resume action if the agreement is breached. Fuel loading is expected to resume across depots from Wednesday, easing the scarcity experienced in several states.