A closed-door meeting between the Dangote Group and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) was held today at the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) office in Abuja, as tensions continue to escalate over the mass dismissal of workers from the Dangote Refinery.
The emergency session, facilitated by the National Security Advisory Secretariat (NSAS), comes amid ongoing nationwide industrial action led by PENGASSAN, following the sacking of over 800 workers allegedly for their union affiliations.
Dispute Over Mass Layoffs
PENGASSAN has accused Dangote Refinery of unlawfully terminating unionised staff, restricting their access to the facility, and engaging in targeted redeployments to remote company sites as retaliation against union activity.
The union described the company’s actions as a “direct assault on labour rights and constitutional freedoms.”
In response, Dangote Group claims the dismissals were part of a broader organisational restructuring aimed at addressing “internal sabotage” and improving operational efficiency.
The refinery, Africa’s largest, only recently began production and has been under close scrutiny due to its strategic importance to Nigeria’s energy sector.
Meeting Yields No Breakthrough
Multiple sources confirmed that today’s meeting, which lasted several hours, ended without a resolution.
While both parties presented their positions, key demands—including the immediate reinstatement of sacked workers and recognition of union rights within the refinery—remain unresolved.
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Government representatives were present as mediators but declined to issue an official statement. A spokesperson for the NSA’s office noted that discussions would continue “in the interest of national stability.”
Strike Continues Nationwide
The ongoing strike, declared last week by PENGASSAN, has disrupted fuel supply chains, with reports of halted crude deliveries and gas shutdowns in several parts of the country.
The union has vowed not to suspend the strike until all affected staff are reinstated and management agrees to formally engage with union leadership.
“The deliberate targeting of our members is unacceptable. We are not backing down,” a senior PENGASSAN official said after the meeting.
Economic and Security Implications
Industry analysts warn that the impasse could have significant economic repercussions if unresolved. The refinery plays a key role in Nigeria’s push toward self-sufficiency in fuel production, and prolonged unrest may affect investor confidence and energy supply security.
The federal government is under increasing pressure to intervene decisively, as fears grow over potential fuel scarcity and broader instability in the petroleum sector.
