Strike Suspended: PENGASSAN And Dangote Refinery Reach Truce Over Worker Dismissals

Strike Suspended: PENGASSAN And Dangote Refinery Reach Truce Over Worker Dismissals

After days of tension in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, calm has returned, at least for now. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has officially suspended its strike action against Dangote Refinery following a breakthrough agreement reached during a two-day negotiation with the Federal Government and refinery management.

What Sparked the Strike?

The industrial action, which began on Sunday, was triggered by Dangote Refinery’s dismissal of workers who had voluntarily joined PENGASSAN. In response, the union directed its members to halt gas and crude supply to the refinery, sending shockwaves through the energy sector and raising concerns about broader supply disruptions. You can also visit prior blog posts to read in details what escalated the issue.

A Turning Point: Dialogue Over Dispute

The impasse was resolved after a high-level meeting held on Monday and Tuesday, involving the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, PENGASSAN leadership, and Dangote Refinery representatives. Minister Dingyadi emphasized the constitutional right of workers to unionize, stating that “the right of workers to unionise in accordance with Nigerian law must be respected.”

Key Outcomes from the Meeting

A joint communique issued after the talks outlined three major resolutions:

1. Reabsorption of Workers: Dangote Group will begin the immediate reabsorption of the dismissed staff into other subsidiaries within the conglomerate, with no loss of pay.

2. No Victimisation: Both parties agreed that no worker will face retaliation for their involvement in the dispute or union activities.

3. Strike Suspension: PENGASSAN confirmed it will initiate the process of calling off the strike, restoring operations and supply lines.

What This Means for the Sector

This resolution marks a significant moment for labor rights in Nigeria’s energy industry. It reinforces the importance of dialogue, legal protections for unionized workers, and the role of government mediation in resolving industrial disputes.

While the immediate crisis may be over, the episode serves as a reminder that labor relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remain a delicate balancing act, one that requires transparency, respect, and ongoing engagement.

• Lpg
• cooking gas
• pengasssan
• Dangote
• dangote refinery
• Lpg in nigeria