Nigerian Oil Union PENGASSAN Suspends Nationwide Strike After Government Mediation
Abuja, Nigeria – October 1, 2025
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has officially suspended its nationwide strike, which began on September 28 in protest against the dismissal of over 800 workers by the Dangote Refinery.
Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, disclosed the suspension during a press briefing in Abuja. The industrial action had shut down key offices, interrupted gas supplies, and threatened to paralyze oil-sector operations across Nigeria.
According to multiple news outlets, the suspension was reached following intensive conciliation efforts involving the federal government, PENGASSAN’s leadership, and management of Dangote Refinery.
Under the agreement, the Dangote Group has committed to reassigning the dismissed workers into other parts of its operations with no loss of pay.
Both sides also agreed that “no worker will be victimised” for their participation in the dispute. Osifo admitted that “grey areas” remain in the communiqué, which both the government and refinery management could not fully clarify.
PENGASSAN’s president, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the union decided to suspend the strike in respect of national institutions and the intervention by the federal government. However, Osifo warned that if Dangote or the government violates any terms of the agreement, the union would resume the industrial action without further notice.
As of now, the pause in the strike offers temporary relief to Nigeria’s oil supply lines, but stakeholders are watching closely to see if the agreed commitments are implemented.
