By Ademola Adekusibe
September 30, 2025
A high-stakes meeting between the Federal Government, Dangote Refinery, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ended in deadlock late Monday night. The discussions, held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Conference Hall in Abuja, started around 3:30 p.m. and stretched past midnight without reaching any agreement.
The dispute arose over claims that Dangote Refinery allegedly dismissed over 800 Nigerian workers. PENGASSAN contends the layoffs were retaliatory for union activities and violate Nigerian labor laws as well as international labor conventions. Dangote Refinery, however, maintains the action was part of an internal reorganization to improve operational efficiency and safety.
Following the deadlock, PENGASSAN confirmed it will continue its nationwide strike, which has already affected operations across key oil and gas facilities in Nigeria. The union is scheduled to reconvene talks today, September 30, at 2 p.m.
The Federal Government has urged both parties to resume negotiations quickly, emphasizing the potential economic impact of a prolonged strike on the nation’s energy sector. Authorities stress that continued dialogue is critical to resolving labor disputes that affect national infrastructure and economic stability.
No resolution has been reached yet, and the outcome of the follow-up talks remains uncertain.
