There are strong indications Wednesday morning that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) may suspend its ongoing strike after the Federal Government brokered peace with the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Following extended negotiations at conciliation meetings held in Abuja on September 29 and 30, 2025, both parties agreed to a five-point resolution.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, in a communique after the meeting, reaffirmed that unionisation is a statutory right of workers under Nigerian law, which must be upheld.
It was further resolved that affected sacked workers would be absorbed into other companies within the Dangote Group without any loss of pay, while no employee would be punished for their role in the dispute.
The communique stated:
“The Honourable Minister of Labour informed the meeting that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected.”
“After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.”
“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.”
“PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike.”
“Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith.”
The agreement was reached in the presence of senior government officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as well as the heads of NMDPRA and NUPRC, and representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) leadership also participated in the talks alongside PENGASSAN executives and Dangote management.
The dispute began after the refinery disengaged over 800 PENGASSAN members, prompting the union to order suspension of gas supply and a nationwide withdrawal of services.
PENGASSAN had accused the company of anti-labour practices, while Dangote management defended the action as an internal reorganisation measure.
