Tension in Nigeria’s crucial oil and gas sector has reportedly ended following a brokered truce between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This resolution culminates in the suspension of a planned strike by PENGASSAN, which had been initiated in response to the dismissal of workers for their union affiliation. The agreement was reached after a two-day conciliation meeting, held on Monday and Tuesday, spearheaded by the Federal Government in Abuja.

The industrial dispute arose when Dangote Refinery allegedly terminated the employment of more than 800 workers, accusing them of joining PENGASSAN. In a strong reaction, PENGASSAN announced a strike, directing its members to cease gas and crude supply and withdraw services from the refinery. The union’s President, Festus Osifo, confirmed the mass dismissal, stating that a letter was received late on a Wednesday, and expressed confidence that all dismissed workers would be recalled. Dangote Refinery, however, had previously explained the disengagement was part of an ongoing restructuring exercise.

The Federal Government swiftly intervened, convening a high-level meeting to mediate between the parties. Key figures present included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari-Dingyadi (also referred to as Muhammad Dingyadi), and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. Other significant attendees comprised the National Security Adviser, Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and State for Petroleum (Gas), alongside representatives from the DSS, NIA, NNPCL, NMDPRA, NUPRC, and various labour leaders, including Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Group.

A core outcome of the meeting was the reaffirmation of workers' fundamental right to unionise under Nigerian law, which the Dangote Group committed to respect. A communiqué issued after the extensive discussions outlined three key resolutions: immediate reabsorption of the disengaged staff, suspension of the strike by PENGASSAN, and an agreement against the victimisation of any worker involved in the impasse. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Dingyadi, underscored the necessity of respecting workers' right to unionise.

Specifically, the Dangote Group management agreed to commence the process of reabsorbing the disengaged staff into other companies within the conglomerate, ensuring no loss of pay. Both sides mutually consented that no worker would be victimised for their role in the dispute. PENGASSAN, in turn, confirmed its commitment to initiating the process of calling off the strike. This resolution, announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, also saw the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) — which had previously declared a solidarity strike — suspend its action following earlier federal government intervention, further solidifying the end of the wider industrial unrest.