The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the intervention of the Federal Government, but warned that the suspension is temporary and could be lifted at any time if agreements are broken.
The announcement was made by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, during a press conference held on Wednesday in Abuja, after marathon negotiations with government officials and representatives of the Dangote Group stretched into the early hours of the day.
The strike, which began on Sunday, September 28, 2025, had disrupted parts of Nigeria’s oil and gas operations and sparked concern across the energy sector. The industrial action was triggered by what the union described as “anti-union practices” by the Dangote Group, including denial of workers’ right to associate and poor treatment of union members within the refinery and related companies.
Osifo made it clear that the union had only suspended the strike—not called it off.
“We are only suspending, not calling off this strike,” he said firmly. “If any part of this agreement is broken, we will not give any warning. We will immediately resume our suspended industrial action.”
He noted that the decision to suspend the strike was taken out of respect for government institutions, particularly in recognition of the federal officials who negotiated with the union late into the night to find a temporary solution.
“Even with our mutual suspicion that Dangote will not do what is right, and our misgivings that the document did not clearly represent all our demands, we have decided to take the moral high ground and suspend the industrial action.”
Despite agreeing to suspend the strike, PENGASSAN expressed deep distrust of the Dangote Group’s intentions, accusing the company of historically ignoring agreements and undermining union activities.
“Yes, we understand that Dangote does not respect the rules of engagement. Yes, we understand that he wants to prove that he is always bigger than the rules and above the law,” Osifo said.
The union also alleged that its sister body, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), had faced similar treatment from the Dangote Group in the past, warning that it does not expect the company to fully honour the new agreement signed under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We truly don’t believe he will live up to expectations,” Osifo stated. “But we are showing respect to the government, not Dangote.”
The core of PENGASSAN’s grievance lies in what it calls a deliberate attempt to suppress workers’ right to unionise, particularly within the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which was commissioned in 2023 and is said to be Africa’s largest, with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Osifo insisted that the strike was about more than salary or welfare—it was about basic labour rights, especially the freedom of association, fair pay, and dignity at work.
“Our members joined the union to secure better welfare and protection. That is their right under Nigerian law. It cannot be negotiated away.”
He added that PENGASSAN will closely monitor compliance with the communique signed by all parties. If there is any breach, the union said it will resume its strike without notice.
“We will not wait. There will be no warning. If any part of this agreement is violated, we will return to industrial action immediately.”
The Dangote Group has faced repeated clashes with labour unions, particularly over alleged refusal to allow unionisation in its various operations. NUPENG previously accused the company of similar anti-union practices, leading to public disputes and warnings.
Although the Federal Government’s intervention has temporarily calmed tensions, labour leaders warn that unless genuine reforms are made within the Dangote operations, more unrest may follow.
For now, oil sector operations are expected to return to normal, but the fragile peace may not last long.
“This is not the end. It’s just a pause,” a senior union official told journalists after the press conference.
