Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against the Dangote Group—but not without a stern warning.
Speaking after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo made it clear that the truce hinges entirely on Dangote’s compliance with a government-mediated agreement.
> “Let it be known clearly that if there is any slip or breach in implementing this agreement, we shall immediately resume our suspended nationwide industrial action,” Osifo declared during a press briefing.
The strike was sparked by the controversial dismissal of over 800 employees from Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited.
The workers, according to the union, were sacked shortly after joining PENGASSAN—an act Osifo described as an “affront to constitutional rights” and a violation of international labour conventions safeguarding freedom of association.
Despite serious misgivings about the sincerity of the deal brokered by the federal government, PENGASSAN agreed to a temporary suspension of hostilities.
> “Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground,” Osifo said. “Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding, and committed to sustaining national economic stability.”
While the union originally demanded that all sacked workers be reinstated to their exact positions, the final agreement only offered redeployment within other Dangote-owned companies—a compromise the union accepted reluctantly.
> “Our position was simple: bring them back to their original jobs,” Osifo explained. “Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement.”
Osifo acknowledged that while the outcome was not ideal, the union prioritized the well-being of the affected workers.
> “What matters now is getting them back to work—earning, feeding their families, and living with dignity,” he said.
However, the union president warned against any delay or deviation from the terms of the agreement, vowing swift retaliation if necessary.
> “We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,” Osifo cautioned.
NAN
