Nationwide Strike Suspended! PENGASSAN Sends Strong Message To Dangote Group

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called off its nationwide strike, which was launched over a dispute with the Dangote Refinery.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, during a press briefing.

Osifo explained that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) convened an emergency session where it resolved to suspend the strike, following an agreement reached during a federal government–brokered reconciliation meeting. The agreement centered on the reabsorption of sacked Dangote Refinery workers.

However, the PENGASSAN president issued a stern warning, stressing that the union would not hesitate to resume the industrial action without notice if Dangote Refinery fails to keep its part of the bargain.

“We are suspending and monitoring closely. Any breach—whether by Dangote, the Ministry of Labour, or any party involved—will trigger an immediate resumption of the suspended strike,” Osifo warned.

He further noted that certain “grey areas” in the communiqué remain unresolved, pointing out that both the federal government and refinery management could not provide clear answers on some issues.

The breakthrough came after two days of negotiations on Monday and Tuesday, during which disengaged workers were assured of reabsorption into other Dangote Group subsidiaries with no loss of pay.

The federal government’s peace team included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi; and NIA Director General, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.