The Federal Government has stepped in to stop a possible strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), following a dispute between the union and the management of Dangote Refinery.
On Sunday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, announced that his ministry had invited both parties to an emergency conciliation meeting scheduled to hold on Monday in his office in Abuja.
The minister made this known through a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the ministry, Patience Onuobia.
According to the statement, the aim of the meeting is to resolve the disagreement amicably and prevent the situation from escalating into a nationwide strike that could seriously affect Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
“The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, has extended invitations to the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend a conciliation meeting in my office on Monday,” the statement read.
PENGASSAN had earlier threatened to commence a strike on Monday, following unresolved issues with the management of Dangote Refinery, though the specific cause of the disagreement was not disclosed in the statement.
The minister, however, appealed to both sides to consider the economic implications of any strike action, especially in the vital oil and gas sector, which remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country. A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses but also cause more hardship for Nigerians. It will affect economic stability and pose risks to national security,” Dingyadi warned.
PENGASSAN is one of the most powerful labour unions in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, representing senior staff in petroleum companies. The union has a history of engaging in strikes to press home its demands when negotiations break down.
On the other hand, Dangote Refinery, a massive private oil project owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is still undergoing test runs and is expected to begin full production soon. The refinery, located in Lagos, is projected to be Africa’s largest and has the capacity to produce 650,000 barrels of oil per day.
Any disruption to its operations, especially at this early stage, could affect Nigeria’s hopes of reducing its dependence on imported petroleum products and achieving fuel price stability.
The Federal Government says it remains committed to ensuring industrial peace and harmony, especially in critical sectors like oil and gas. Minister Dingyadi urged both PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery to approach the meeting with open minds and a willingness to compromise.
“Our goal is to protect the interests of Nigerian workers, while also ensuring that businesses can operate smoothly. Dialogue and understanding remain the best tools for conflict resolution,” he said.
As of Sunday evening, neither PENGASSAN nor Dangote Refinery had publicly responded to the ministry’s invitation, but the situation is being closely monitored by stakeholders.
Nigerians will be watching closely on Monday, hoping that the meeting will produce a positive outcome and prevent further disruption in the oil and gas sector, which is already facing challenges.
