Nigerians are facing increased fuel costs as a result of the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The feud began over the mass sack of Nigerian workers, prompting PENGASSAN to call for a nationwide strike. In response, the Federal Government, Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN held a closed‑door meeting on Monday, chaired by the government, to resolve the issues. According to PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, the meeting ended in a deadlock, and no agreement was reached.
The strike has already driven fuel prices higher in parts of Abuja, with some filling stations raising their rates to N910, N920 and N910 per litre, up from N890, N910 and N890 per litre. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) president, Abubakar Maigandi, attributed the price hike to the anxiety created by the dispute. PENGASSAN has insisted that its strike will continue until its demands are met, including the recall of workers unjustly sacked for belonging to the union. The union has also grounded activities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority offices in Abuja.
Dangote Refinery has secured a court judgment restraining PENGASSAN from striking, but the union claims it is unaware of any court action and says it will continue its industrial action. The Federal Government has intervened, with Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi stating that the feud needs to be resolved for the good of Nigerians, the union and the employers. The Nigerian Union of Labour Congress has joined PENGASSAN in the nationwide strike, and the Trade Union of Nigeria also joined on Sunday.
The dispute has significant implications for the country’s oil sector and for Nigerians directly affected by the fuel price increases. The Federal Government’s next steps in resolving the conflict are eagerly awaited.
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