Relief may finally be in sight for the oil and gas sector as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has agreed to begin the process of calling off its strike. This follows a breakthrough in negotiations with Dangote Group and the federal government.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the government reaffirmed that union membership is a fundamental right of Nigerian workers and must be respected. He disclosed that Dangote Group will redeploy the disengaged refinery staff to other companies within the conglomerate without any loss of pay.
The minister also assured that no worker would face victimisation for their role in the union face-off. “No worker shall be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” the statement read.
This resolution comes after days of tension sparked by Dangote Refinery’s decision to sack Nigerian workers less than 24 hours after they joined PENGASSAN. The mass dismissal triggered outrage, with the union insisting it was a direct attack on workers’ rights.
Following multiple reconciliation meetings attended by Aliko Dangote, labour leaders, and top government officials including Finance Minister Wale Edun, an agreement was finally reached. The Ministry of Labour confirmed the truce on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had declared a solidarity strike but suspended it after government intervention. With PENGASSAN now softening its stance, the crisis that threatened operations at Africa’s largest refinery may be easing off.
