The reconciliation meeting convened by the Federal Government between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery ended without resolution in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to The PUNCH, the meeting, which began around 4 p.m. on Monday and lasted about nine hours, was attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
Confirming the outcome, Dingyadi said discussions had reached a stalemate but would continue later in the day.
“What’s happening today is very dear to our economy and to the security of the country. We have been informed that PENGASSAN is on strike,” the minister remarked, appealing to both sides to “demonstrate good faith in dialogue.”
The dispute, which has heightened tensions in the oil and gas sector, stems from PENGASSAN’s allegations that Dangote Refinery had unfairly transferred and dismissed several union members, while replacing some Nigerian workers with foreign nationals.
The company has repeatedly denied the claims, insisting its restructuring process aligns with international best practices.
The government’s intervention was triggered by fears of potential disruptions to energy security and the wider economy, given the strategic role of the refinery in Nigeria’s plan to increase local refining and reduce reliance on fuel imports.
Despite several hours of closed-door deliberations, both sides refused to shift ground.
PENGASSAN maintained that its members would not resume work until the alleged anti-labour practices were addressed, while Dangote Refinery stood firm on its position.
The next round of talks is expected to resume at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with stakeholders hoping for a breakthrough that could prevent a prolonged industrial crisis.
