The Federal Government has launched an urgent mediation to prevent disruptions to petrol supply following a dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery (DPR).
This marks the second major labour tension involving the refinery in a week. Last week, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatened to halt product loading from DPR.
Yesterday, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, chaired a marathon session of the Steering Committee of the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative. Key discussions focused on the naira-for-crude policy and the ongoing disagreement between PENGASSAN and DPR.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, appealed to labour unions to suspend planned industrial action and invited all parties to an emergency conciliation meeting today to resolve the dispute. The government reassured Nigerians that fuel supply will remain uninterrupted despite concerns in the downstream sector.
Dangote Refinery described PENGASSAN’s strike threat as a “lawless act of economic sabotage” and urged the government and citizens to safeguard the refinery as a national asset. The company warned that continued threats could undermine Nigeria’s economic recovery and energy security.
PENGASSAN, however, vowed to proceed with a nationwide strike over the alleged dismissal of more than 800 workers who joined the union. PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said the action was necessary to defend the constitutional rights of workers and rejected claims that the strike constitutes sabotage.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) cautioned that the labour crisis could impact electricity supply, stressing that any disruption in gas supply to power plants could undermine grid stability.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, described the union’s threatened action as “disproportionate,” urging resolution through lawful channels, including industrial courts.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) condemned Dangote’s alleged anti-worker actions, demanding immediate reinstatement of the affected employees and a public apology from the refinery.
Political actors, including National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, criticized PENGASSAN’s strike call, labeling it a misguided move that threatens national economic stability and the welfare of Nigerians.
The Federal Government remains committed to sustaining stability in the petroleum sector, protecting consumers, and preventing disruptions that could impact energy security.
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