The Federal Government on Sunday appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin at midnight on 28 September over the alleged dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery.
The government warned that the action could cripple the economy and deepen hardship for citizens.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal in Abuja, noting that the ministry had already begun moves to bring both sides to the negotiating table. He stressed that the strike could result in heavy revenue losses, disrupt economic stability, and even pose a threat to national security.
PENGASSAN had directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services, accusing the Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices, discrimination against local staff, and unfair sackings. The directive raised fears of widespread disruptions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
In response, Dingyadi revealed that the Ministry of Labour, through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, had invited PENGASSAN leaders and Dangote Refinery management to a conciliation meeting on Monday.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country, being the backbone of our economy,” Dingyadi said. “A strike will not only cause severe revenue losses but also hardship for Nigerians. Its impact on stability and security cannot be underestimated.”
He urged PENGASSAN to withdraw its strike threat in order to allow peaceful dialogue, assuring that the government remained committed to resolving the dispute.
