Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN Talks End in Deadlock, To Resume Today

• Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN Talks End in Deadlock, To Resume Today

• Union accuses refinery of mass sackings, foreign replacements; company denies claims.

• Negotiations resume today as government pushes for industrial peace in oil sector.

The management of Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have failed to reach an agreement over their ongoing dispute following allegations of mass sackings of union members.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the federal government had convened a peace meeting on Monday at the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Conference Hall in Abuja, but discussions ended in a deadlock shortly after midnight. The meeting, which began around 3:50 p.m. due to late arrival of stakeholders, stretched for several hours behind closed doors without producing any resolution.

The Federal Government had summoned both sides after reports of growing discontent, with PENGASSAN accusing Dangote Refinery of mass transfers, termination of union members, and the alleged replacement of Nigerian workers with foreign nationals—claims the company has consistently denied.

Leading PENGASSAN’s delegation was its President, Festus Osifo, alongside the General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Nuhu Toro. The government team was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammad Dingyadi, while Dangote Refinery was represented by senior management officials.

In his opening remarks, Dingyadi emphasized the importance of the discussions to Nigeria’s economy and national security, particularly at a time the country is relying on the refinery to increase local refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

“What’s happening today is very dear to our economy and to the security of the country. We have been informed that PENGASSAN is on strike,” Dingyadi stated, appealing to both parties to approach the talks in good faith.

Negotiations are expected to reconvene today, Tuesday, September 30, at 2 p.m. in Abuja.

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