Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has witnessed a significant development as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) agreed to suspend its two‑day strike against Dangote Refinery. The decision followed a meeting between the Federal Government, PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, during which the parties agreed to recall workers who had been dismissed for union membership.
The meeting, held on Monday and Tuesday, was attended by Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi, who stressed the importance of respecting workers’ rights to unionize under Nigerian law. A communique issued after the meeting outlined three key points: the reabsorption of sacked workers into other companies within the Dangote Group, the suspension of the PENGASSAN strike, and an end to workers’ victimisation.
Under the agreement, the Dangote Group will immediately begin reabsorbing the dismissed staff into its other companies without any loss of pay. Both sides also pledged that no worker will be victimised for their role in the impasse. PENGASSAN confirmed it will start the process of calling off the strike, which had been announced on Sunday in response to the dismissals. The strike had directed members to cut gas and crude supplies to Dangote Refinery, highlighting its potential impact on the sector.
The accord marks a positive step toward resolving tensions between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery and is expected to benefit the oil and gas industry as a whole. Government intervention helped settle the dispute, underscoring the importance of respecting workers’ rights and fostering a stable industrial‑relations environment. With the strike suspended and dismissed workers recalled, the sector can refocus on its core activities, contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. The agreement also emphasizes the need for constructive dialogue between employers and employees to resolve disputes and promote a positive industrial‑relations climate.
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