PENGASSAN Refuses to Endorse FG-Brokered Deal with Dangote
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has clarified that it did not endorse the agreement reached at a reconciliation meeting with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, organized by the Federal Government.
Union President Festus Osifo made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme, The Morning Brief, on Thursday.
“We didn’t sign that communiqué,” Osifo stated. “Typically, such documents require the signatures of all three parties involved. We withheld ours because certain elements in the agreement didn’t sit well with us.”
According to Osifo, the communiqué was essentially a message from the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who acted as the chief mediator during the discussions.
He explained that once the proposed agreement was presented to PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council (NEC), the union’s leadership decided to reassess its priorities.
“When we brought it before our NEC, we had to determine what really mattered,” Osifo said.
“There were misleading media reports suggesting our main concern was check-off dues, but that’s simply not true. Our top priority was ensuring our members could return to work and support their families. That’s the critical issue—getting those workers back into the refinery.”
Osifo pointed out that Dangote initially resisted reinstating the laid-off workers, and only reconsidered after government intervention led to a compromise.
He dismissed allegations that the dismissed workers had sabotaged operations, calling the claim unfounded.
“Our struggle is not about the union itself—it’s about protecting Nigerian workers who lost their jobs simply for exercising their right to unionize,” he emphasized.
He added: “The statement from Dangote alleging economic sabotage by the workers was completely false. Had we allowed that narrative to stand, those 800 workers would have been blacklisted, unable to find work again. Removing that false label was a major victory.”
Osifo concluded by reaffirming the union’s readiness to act if necessary: “We’re not intimidated. If Dangote fails to do what’s right, we have tools at our disposal. We won’t back down from fighting for justice. We’ve been here long before the Dangote Refinery existed, and we’re not going anywhere.”
