FG Intervenes in Dangote/PENGASSAN Dispute, Urges Suspension of Planned Strike

The Federal Government has called on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its planned nationwide strike over a dispute with the Dangote Refinery.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal on Sunday, revealing that his ministry has initiated efforts to bring both parties to the negotiation table to prevent the situation from escalating.

In a statement released by the ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Patience Onuobia, the Minister disclosed that both PENGASSAN leadership and the management of Dangote Refinery have been invited to an emergency reconciliation meeting scheduled for Monday in his office.

Dingyadi urged the union to withdraw its strike notice and allow the ministry to mediate and resolve the conflict amicably.

PENGASSAN had ordered its members across the country to withdraw their services following what it described as the unjust termination of Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery. The union accused the company of breaching Nigerian labour laws and international labour conventions by sacking workers who had joined the union.

The union also alleged that the affected workers were replaced with over 2,000 foreign nationals—an action it described as a direct affront to Nigerian workers.

In response, Dangote Refinery defended its decision, stating that the recent restructuring exercise was essential to curb acts of sabotage and ensure operational efficiency. The company denied the allegations of arbitrary dismissals, claiming the reorganisation was in the best interest of the refinery’s safety and performance.

The proposed strike, if carried out, could have far-reaching consequences on national revenue, economic stability, and security.

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