The leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and top officials of the Dangote
Petroleum Refinery on Monday met with the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, to resolve ongoing disputes over the alleged
illegal dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room in
Abuja, was also attended by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment,
Nkiruka Onyejeocha, alongside PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo and
other union executives.
Nationwide Industrial Action
Earlier in the day, PENGASSAN members barricaded the
headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)
in Abuja, as well as the offices of oil and gas regulators, in compliance with
directives from its National Executive Council (NEC) for a nationwide
strike.
Union members were seen chanting solidarity songs
while blocking the entrances of:
The union said the action was necessary to protest
what it described as the unlawful termination of workers for joining
PENGASSAN.
Union’s Position
In a circular issued after its emergency NEC meeting
on Saturday, September 27, 2025, and signed by General Secretary Lumumba
Okugbawa, the union accused Dangote Refinery of:
Dangote Refinery’s Response
In response, the refinery explained that the recent reorganisation
exercise, which led to staff dismissals, was not arbitrary. It
argued that the restructuring was aimed at preventing sabotage, improving
safety, and boosting operational efficiency.
The company denied claims that workers were targeted
for union membership, maintaining that the exercise was in line with
international best practices.
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