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The Coalition of Civil Society Groups has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for what it described as a “patriotic involvement” that helped resolve the heated dispute between Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over unionisation issues.

In a statement signed by its scribe, Amb. Muhammad Nurainni bin Ahmad, the Coalition applauded the DSS for brokering peace between the parties, stressing that the agency’s intervention averted an industrial action that could have crippled Nigeria’s national economy.

The resolution was reached after a closed-door meeting held at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, during which NUPENG’s leadership directed its members to suspend the nationwide strike action.

The Coalition further noted the roles played by key government officials who attended the meeting. These included the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

On the side of the Dangote Group, its Managing Director, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, led the company’s management team to the Abuja meeting which started at about 1:35 pm and lasted until 7:15 pm on Tuesday.

Also present at the meeting were prominent labour leaders such as NUPENG President, Akporeha Williams, and the General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi. They were joined by Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nuhu Toro of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

According to the Coalition, President Bola Tinubu directly intervened by directing the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to work closely with Chief Conciliator Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi to ensure that NUPENG’s planned action did not result in untold hardship for Nigerians.

“The President had to intervene in the matter directly by directing the DG DSS and the Minister of Finance to quench the looming industrial disharmony. Their one-day action had already threatened petroleum supply and distribution across the country,” a source at the meeting revealed.

The official added that after hours of intense deliberations, both sides resolved to uphold existing labour laws. They agreed that no employee should be compelled to join any union and that every worker retains the constitutional right to either associate with or decline membership of any labour organisation.

“After hours of deliberation, it was agreed among all the parties involved that no employee of the company should be compelled to join any union or association. It was also highlighted that every employee has constitutional rights to associate with any labour union or body because Freedom of Association is guaranteed in the existing laws,” the official emphasised.

The Coalition, through its scribe, praised the DSS for rising to the occasion. “The patriotic role played by the DSS has protected ordinary Nigerians from economic hardship and ensured industrial harmony at a critical moment,” Amb. Muhammad Nurainni stated.