The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide industrial action against Dangote Refinery, citing respect for the Nigerian government and its citizens. President Festus Osifo said the decision was taken despite the union’s dissatisfaction with the terms of the agreement brokered between PENGASSAN and the refinery.
PENGASSAN had launched a two‑day strike that disrupted gas and crude supplies to Dangote Refinery, a 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day facility, and affected Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. The strike was triggered by the refinery’s dismissal of more than 800 workers who had voluntarily joined PENGASSAN, and the union’s primary demand was the recall of those workers.
Following intervention by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, an agreement was reached that includes the reabsorption of the sacked workers. While PENGASSAN has agreed to suspend the strike, Osifo warned that the union would resume the action immediately if Dangote Refinery fails to honor its part of the agreement.
The development follows a series of negotiations involving government bodies such as the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and various ministers. The Federal Government’s involvement underscores the oil and gas sector’s importance to Nigeria’s economy and the need for stability in the industry.
The suspension of the strike is expected to restore normalcy to the downstream sector, which was disrupted by the industrial action. However, the union’s warning indicates that the issue remains unresolved, and the situation will be closely monitored in the coming days. The government’s role in brokering the agreement highlights its commitment to maintaining industrial peace and ensuring the continued operation of critical economic sectors.
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