The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike, following a meeting with the National Security Adviser and the management of Dangote Refinery. PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, announced the suspension at a press conference in Abuja, citing that the decision was made in good faith despite lingering dissatisfaction with parts of the resolution.

The association had been at loggerheads with the private refinery over unresolved labour issues, including the alleged illegal sacking of over 800 Nigerian workers. The workers were reportedly replaced with foreign staff, prompting protests and accusations of labour rights violations. PENGASSAN had directed its members to cut crude and gas supplies, a move supported by the Trade Union Congress.

However, Dangote Refinery denied allegations of mass sackings, insisting that the restructuring was necessary for safety and efficiency. The company argued that only a small portion of its 3,000 Nigerian staff were affected and accused PENGASSAN of “criminal conduct” for disrupting fuel supply and national revenues.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, confirmed that the industrial dispute had been resolved, stating that unionisation was a legal right of workers that must be respected. He assured that no worker would be victimised for participating in the dispute and announced that the Dangote Group would reassign over 800 disengaged workers to its subsidiaries without loss of pay.

Osifo warned that PENGASSAN would resume the industrial action without notice if Dangote Refinery fails to honour the agreement. The suspension of the strike comes after a court order was issued, with Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court granting an interim injunction against the strike, citing potential irreparable economic harm.

The development marks a temporary resolution to the labour dispute, but PENGASSAN’s commitment to resuming action if the agreement is breached underscores the ongoing tensions between the association and Dangote Refinery. As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of the affected workers and the broader implications for Nigeria’s labour landscape remain uncertain.