PENGASSAN Suspends Strike, Warns of Fresh Action if Demands are Ignored

By Chinedu Echianu

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike but warned it will not hesitate to resume without notice if its demands are not met.

The strike, which began on September 28, was sparked by the sudden dismissal of 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery, barely two weeks after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the union.

Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the affected staff mainly fresh graduates and trainees, were unfairly accused of economic sabotage.

“A single letter was used to terminate the appointment of these 800 staff, with false claims of sabotage,” he stated.

Osifo dismissed suggestions that the strike was driven by the union’s quest for check-off dues, noting that the combined salaries of the affected workers were far less than what a handful of members in ExxonMobil or Chevron earn monthly.

He stressed that the real issue was protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair treatment.

He accused Aliko Dangote of attempting to act above the law and manipulate public opinion. “Dangote feels he is bigger than the laws of Nigeria. He has previously reneged on agreements with NUPENG and is doing the same with us,” Osifo alleged.

Although the intervention of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Labour Minister Muhammad Maigari-Dingyadi, and Finance Minister Wale Edun led to a temporary resolution, PENGASSAN expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the agreement.

The deal proposed redeploying the sacked workers to other Dangote Group subsidiaries, but the union insists redeployment must remain within its jurisdiction.

Osifo said the suspension of the strike was a show of patriotism but issued a stern warning: “We will not hesitate to resume industrial action without notice if Dangote fails to comply with the agreed terms.”

The development highlights growing tensions between organized labour and one of Africa’s biggest conglomerates, with broader implications for Nigeria’s industrial relations and job security.