The federal government is appealing to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its planned strike over a dispute with Dangote Refinery The strike is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, made the appeal on Sunday. He said the Ministry has already taken steps to bring both parties to the table to prevent the conflict from escalating.
According to Dingyadi, invitations have been sent to the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend an emergency meeting on Monday in his office. The meeting is expected to provide room for dialogue and conciliation.
The Minister urged PENGASSAN to withdraw its strike notice in order to allow talks to proceed in a peaceful environment.
> “The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, has invited both parties to a conciliation meeting. I appeal to them to consider the importance of the petroleum sector to Nigeria’s economy. A strike will not only cause revenue losses but also worsen hardship for citizens and affect national security,” Dingyadi said.
He further assured that the federal government remains committed to resolving the dispute amicably and in the interest of all stakeholders.
The petroleum sector remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economy, and the federal government is calling on both sides to give peace a chance.
