PENGASSAN Calls Off Strike As Dangote Group Reabsorbs Sacked Staff After FG Mediation 

The Federal Government has brokered peace between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), ending a labour dispute that had threatened fuel supply stability.

After two days of talks on Monday and Tuesday, the parties reached an agreement that disengaged workers will be reabsorbed into other Dangote Group companies, with no loss of pay.

The conciliation meeting was convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, following a directive by PENGASSAN to cut off gas supply and withdraw services from the refinery after more than 800 staff were terminated.

The high-level session was attended by the National Security Adviser, the Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Labour and Employment, and State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as well as the Directors-General of the DSS and the NIA.

In his remarks, Dr. Dingyadi reminded both parties that “the right of workers to unionise in accordance with Nigerian law must be respected.”

The signed communique outlined three key decisions:

Reabsorption of Workers: “The Dangote Group management will immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay,” the statement read.

No Victimisation: Both sides agreed that “no worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse.”

Strike Suspension: PENGASSAN also confirmed that it would “start the process of calling off the strike.”

The communique concluded that all parties entered the agreement “in good faith.”

The dispute had raised concerns about potential disruptions in fuel supply and power generation. Earlier, ARISE News reported that the Federal Government reassured Nigerians of “stable and uninterrupted fuel supply” despite the standoff, underscoring the national stakes in the conflict.

With this resolution, industrial peace has been temporarily restored, although analysts note that structural issues in the oil and gas sector’s labour relations remain unresolved. -Arise News