The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike following the intervention of the Federal Government.

PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, announced the suspension at a press conference in Abuja after a meeting with the National Security Adviser and the management of Dangote Refinery.

Osifo explained that the decision was taken in good faith, even though several “grey areas” remain unresolved in the communiqué agreed by both parties. He warned that the union would resume industrial action without notice if Dangote Refinery failed to honour the agreement.

“Let it be known clearly that if there is any slip or breach in implementing this agreement, we shall immediately resume our suspended nationwide industrial action,” Osifo declared.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, had earlier confirmed that the dispute was resolved. In a statement, he affirmed that unionisation is a constitutional right that must be respected and assured workers that no one would be victimised for taking part in the protest.

As part of the settlement, Dangote Group agreed to reassign more than 800 workers disengaged from its petrochemicals and fertiliser subsidiary to other companies within the conglomerate, without any loss of pay.

Osifo, however, criticised the compromise, noting that PENGASSAN’s primary demand was full reinstatement of the affected staff to their original roles. “Our position was simple: bring them back to their jobs. Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement,” he said.

He stressed that while the union reluctantly accepted the redeployment plan, the priority was ensuring the workers resumed earning and supporting their families. “Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground. Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding and committed to sustaining national economic stability,” he added.

The strike had been triggered by the reported dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian employees by Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited after they joined PENGASSAN. The union accused the refinery of breaching labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on freedom of association.

PENGASSAN further alleged that the sacked workers were replaced with “over 2,000 Indians”, describing the move as a blatant affront to Nigerian workers.

On Monday, union members barricaded the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Abuja and blocked entrances to the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority as well as the Upstream Petroleum Commission. Protesters carried placards, chanted solidarity songs, and accused Dangote Refinery of violating labour rights.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) backed PENGASSAN’s stance, with its Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, declaring: “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers. No corporation will be allowed to trample on workers’ rights.”

Despite suspending the strike, Osifo reiterated that the union would not tolerate delays or unfulfilled promises. “We will not wait endlessly if nothing happens. We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,” he warned.