The Federal Government has successfully brokered peace between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), ending a tense industrial dispute after two days of intensive conciliation meetings.
In a statement released early Wednesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed that a resolution was reached following lengthy deliberations.
According to the statement, the key agreements include a reaffirmation that unionisation is a legal right of workers in Nigeria, which must be respected by employers. Management of the Dangote Group has agreed to immediately begin redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the group, ensuring no loss of pay.
“No worker will be victimized as a result of their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” the statement said. PENGASSAN, in turn, agreed to initiate the process of calling off the strike. Both parties committed to these terms in good faith.
The government delegation overseeing the talks featured prominent officials including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Director-General of the DSS Adeola Ajayi; and Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
Monday’s initial meeting between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery management had ended without agreement after running into the early hours of Tuesday. Subsequent talks resumed Tuesday afternoon at the Office of the National Security Adviser and extended well into Wednesday morning, culminating in the resolution.
The dispute arose after PENGASSAN alleged mass transfers and dismissals of union members by the refinery, alongside claims of replacing some Nigerian workers with foreign nationals—allegations repeatedly denied by Dangote management.
The intervention by the Federal Government came amid concerns over potential negative impacts of the conflict on Nigeria’s economy and critical energy security.
