The Federal Government has intensified efforts to mediate in the ongoing conflict between the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over allegations of mass dismissal of union members and their replacement with Indian expatriates.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend the nationwide strike it declared on Saturday, stressing the need to protect Nigeria’s economy and prevent further hardship on citizens.
Impact of the Strike
The strike action has already disrupted operations across the oil and gas sector. Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have reportedly been unable to perform their duties, as key documents, approvals, and files necessary for their work are withheld due to the industrial action. According to sources, this has left many workers idle, while fuel lifting and related activities remain stalled.
PENGASSAN has made it clear that the strike will only be called off if the refinery recalls all allegedly dismissed union members, including engineers who were either sacked or transferred. The union insists that replacing Nigerian workers with foreigners undermines workers’ rights and sets a dangerous precedent for the industry.
FG Moves to Broker Truce
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has summoned both parties to an emergency conciliation meeting. Officials are currently investigating the contentious issues with the aim of reaching a peaceful resolution. Minister Dingyadi, in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, warned that the petroleum sector is too critical to the economy to be disrupted by industrial action.
He noted that a prolonged strike would not only result in heavy revenue losses but could also destabilise the economy and threaten national security. The minister therefore urged PENGASSAN to create room for dialogue by suspending the strike.
PENGASSAN Holds Firm
General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, said the strike was a direct response to the victimisation of more than 800 unionised workers at the refinery. According to him, the dismissal of workers for joining a union violates both local and international labour laws.
He stressed that freedom of association is a fundamental right and that the unconditional recall of affected members remains the only way forward. He also warned that if not checked, Dangote’s actions could embolden other employers to adopt similar anti-worker practices.
Soldiers’ Involvement and Partial Shutdown
Union leaders also alleged that security operatives were deployed to frustrate the strike. Reports claimed that soldiers chased out members attempting to enforce the strike directive, leading to only partial compliance. Some arrested workers were reportedly released after a night in custody.
TUC, NUPRC Interventions
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has declared total support for PENGASSAN and has placed its members on red alert in preparation for a possible nationwide strike. The TUC condemned Dangote Refinery’s alleged anti-labour practices and demanded the reinstatement of all affected workers, a public apology, and an independent probe into the refinery’s labour policies.
Similarly, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) urged both sides to embrace dialogue, warning that the stakes are too high for the dispute to be allowed to cripple the country’s energy supply.
Dangote Refinery Reacts
In a strongly worded response, the management of Dangote Refinery dismissed PENGASSAN’s actions as reckless and a deliberate attempt to sabotage Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The refinery accused the union of having a long history of frustrating progress in the industry, citing the collapse of government-owned refineries and resistance to past reforms.
The company highlighted its contributions to Nigeria’s economy, including the creation of thousands of jobs, road construction, extensive training programmes, and a compensation package it described as superior to industry standards. Dangote Refinery argued that the strike was not about protecting workers, but about advancing the interests of a few union leaders at the expense of over 230 million Nigerians.
The refinery further urged the federal government and security agencies to act swiftly to safeguard the facility and Nigeria’s energy security, warning that the union must not be allowed to weaponise hardship against citizens.
Consumer Forum Raises Alarm
Adding to the controversy, the Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum accused PENGASSAN of attempting to sabotage the refinery, warning that the union’s actions could plunge the country back into fuel scarcity and economic instability. The forum recalled the union’s role in the decay of Nigeria’s public refineries and urged it to respect the law and prioritise national interests.
The group stressed that the Dangote Refinery, with its capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, represents Nigeria’s best hope for energy independence and should not be undermined by “irresponsible unionism.”
Outlook
As tension continues to mount, all eyes are now on today’s emergency conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. While government officials insist that peace is the only way forward, PENGASSAN maintains that there will be no compromise without the reinstatement of all dismissed workers.
