Strike: FG Appeals to PENGASSAN Over Dangote Dispute, Truce Meeting Holds Monday
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- 28.09.2025
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- 27
Strike: FG Appeals to PENGASSAN Over Dangote Dispute, Truce Meeting Holds Monday
The Federal Government has called on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to reconsider its planned strike scheduled for Monday over its ongoing dispute with Dangote Refinery.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal on Sunday, revealing that his ministry has initiated steps to bring both parties to the negotiation table to prevent the crisis from escalating.
In a statement signed by Patience Onuobia, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour, Dingyadi disclosed that invitations have been extended to both the PENGASSAN leadership and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend an emergency meeting in his office on Monday for conciliation.
The Minister urged PENGASSAN to withdraw its planned strike to create a conducive atmosphere for the government to mediate and resolve the dispute amicably.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country. A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses but also cause hardship for Nigerians, impacting economic stability and national security,” Dingyadi stated.
He assured the concerned parties that the Federal Government is committed to reaching a fair resolution that serves the national interest.
Following an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, PENGASSAN directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services. The union accused Dangote Refinery of mass dismissal of Nigerian workers for joining the association in violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
The union alleged that the refinery had replaced dismissed staff with “over 2,000 Indians,” describing the action as “an affront to all workers in Nigeria.”
PENGASSAN ordered its members in field locations to down tools from Sunday and declared a nationwide shutdown across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies from Monday.
In response to PENGASSAN’s accusations, Dangote Refinery said the recent reorganisation of its workforce was a necessary measure to address safety concerns and boost operational efficiency, not an arbitrary move.
“This exercise is not arbitrary. It has become necessary to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency,” the company stated.
The company added that its decision was taken in the best interest of the refinery and the safety of its operations.
The dispute between Dangote Refinery and unions in the oil and gas sector has intensified in recent months over issues such as labour rights, safety standards, and product distribution. The Federal Government’s intervention on Monday aims to avert a nationwide shutdown and restore stability in Nigeria’s critical petroleum sector.
