 has called off its three-day strike against the Dangote){kind=link}
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called off its three-day strike against the Dangote Refinery after reaching a truce brokered by the federal government.
The industrial action, which disrupted operations, stemmed from a dispute over the rights of refinery employees to unionise under PENGASSAN.
The clash had raised concerns about labour rights and the future of industrial relations at Africa’s largest privately-owned refinery.
Announcing the suspension at a press conference, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo revealed that the breakthrough came after a marathon meeting at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He noted that both sides signed an agreement aimed at resolving the conflict.
“We have decided to put the strike on hold in the interest of peace and stability. However, if the management of Dangote Refinery goes back on its word, we will not hesitate to resume action,” Osifo warned.
The union leader further stressed that the refinery’s management must respect workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining, describing it as “the backbone of any sustainable labour relationship.”
Meanwhile, industry observers say the resolution is a major test of how the Dangote Refinery, seen as a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, will handle employee relations in the years ahead.
“The refinery has the potential to transform Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, but this dispute shows that respecting labour agreements will be just as important as meeting production targets,” one analyst said on Twitter.
PENGASSAN maintained that while the strike has been suspended, it is monitoring developments closely to ensure that the signed commitments are fully implemented.