The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its strike action against Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals after the intervention of the Federal Government.
The truce was announced on Wednesday in Abuja following an agreement brokered by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, with the support of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and key ministers.
PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the suspension was made out of respect for government institutions but stressed that the deal fell short of addressing the union’s primary demand—the reinstatement of over 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked by the refinery.
“We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for the NSA, the DSS, and ministers who mediated tirelessly into the early hours of the morning, we decided to suspend the action,” Osifo told journalists.
He, however, warned that the union would not hesitate to resume the strike without notice if Dangote management failed to honour its commitments. “We will be monitoring closely. Any slip, any breach, any part of this agreement that is not kept, we will not issue further notice. We will resume immediately,” he declared.
The PENGASSAN leader voiced doubts over the sincerity of the refinery management, accusing Dangote of a history of disregarding agreements. He insisted that the strike was not motivated by financial considerations such as check-off dues but by the defence of workers’ rights and the principle of freedom of association.
“It is actually about the welfare of our members. When we enter organisations, we improve conditions of service, and that is why workers subscribe to us. The claim that this struggle is about check-off dues is false,” Osifo said.
He further argued that PENGASSAN had never obstructed the growth of multinational oil companies, citing Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil, where the union has thousands of members. “We are not out to kill Dangote Refinery, which has barely invested $20 billion. Instead, we want to ensure justice for Nigerian workers,” he stated.
Osifo emphasized that the oil and gas workforce has been central to Nigeria’s economy, contributing more than 90 percent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. He maintained that the union’s actions were guided by patriotism and a commitment to national progress.
While thanking government officials who facilitated the agreement, Osifo reaffirmed that PENGASSAN would remain vigilant. “Despite our reservations, we chose to suspend this strike in deference to government efforts. But let me be clear—any breach of the agreement will be met with immediate response,” he said.
The Nigerian Police Force and Dangote Refinery management have yet to comment on the latest development.
