PENGASSAN fires back at Shetima for condemning its strike action against Dangote.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has criticized the Vice President Kashim Shettima over his comments condemning its strike action against the Dangote refinery.

PENGASSAN Fires Back At Shettima For Condemning Its Strike Action Against Dangote
Last week, the PENGASSAN shut down key oil and gas facilities in protest against the alleged dismissal of 800 workers by the Dangote refinery for joining the union.

The refinery, however, denied the claim, insisting it only dismissed a few employees accused of sabotaging operations as part of its internal restructuring.

The strike caused disruptions in oil and gas production and affected electricity generation nationwide.

After government intervention, PENGASSAN suspended the strike on Wednesday when the Dangote Group agreed to redeploy the affected workers to other business divisions.

Despite the resolution, fuel queues persisted in some cities, and the cost of cooking gas remained high, selling for around N2,000 per kilogram in Lagos and other areas.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, Shettima described Aliko Dangote as more than an individual, calling him a major institution in Nigeria’s economy.

The vice president warned that no group or association should hold the nation to ransom, saying Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN.

In its response, PENGASSAN’s National President, Festus Osifo, stated that Nigeria is also greater than Dangote and the Presidency.

Twist As PENGASSAN Denies Signing Dangote Truce To Suspend Strike.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has distanced itself from the federal government communique that announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery, insisting it did not sign the document.

Fresh Twist As PENGASSAN Denies Signing Dangote Truce To Suspend Strike
the union suspended its industrial action on Wednesday, October 1, after government intervention, but stressed that its concerns over the welfare of more than 800 sacked workers were not fully addressed.

Appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 2, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, explained that the communique presented after the negotiations was not an agreement between the parties.

“If you see that communiqué, we did not sign it. Normally, it is supposed to be signed by three parties. We did not sign because we felt that some things in it were not okay with us,” Osifo said.

He clarified that the communiqué was only a communication by the Minister of Labour and Employment, who acted as chief conciliator in the matter.

Union Insists On Workers’ Reinstatement
Osifo said the core of PENGASSAN’s demand was the reinstatement of the disengaged staff.

“The statement that Dangote made on workers sabotaging the economy was totally incorrect. If we had allowed that sabotage tag to stand, those 800 people would not be able to secure jobs in the future. That stigma would remain forever. Clearing that was a very big win,” he said.

The union leader dismissed suggestions that PENGASSAN’s fight was about check-off dues, stressing that the priority was ensuring its members could return to work and provide for their families.

“Our position is clear: take the people back to the refinery. That is all we asked for,” he insisted.

"Dangote is the person sabotaging our economy"- PENGASSAN president.

The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has accused the chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, of sabotaging the Nigerian economy.

News recalls that the row between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery escalated on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after the union directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services, following the reported sack of at least 800 workers.

The development, union leaders said, amounted to a direct attack on workers’ rights and the freedom of association, following the mass enrollment of staff in PENGASSAN at the refinery.

The refinery’s management, however, insists that the dismissals were part of an internal restructuring exercise.

The company also resisted unionisation efforts by its workers, sparking accusations of anti-labour practices.

Speaking on the ongoing rift, Osifo, during an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, said Dangote is Sabotaging Nigeria’s economy despite benefiting from the country.

He said, “The person that is sabotaging our economy is Aliko Dangote. The man is who he is today because of Nigeria.

“Nigeria gave Dangote a single licence to import flour, sugar and salt.

“Dangote built his refinery with our money; the Nigerian government subsidised FX for him to build the refinery.”

Dangote Is The Person Sabotaging Our Economy PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo.

The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has accused the chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, of sabotaging the Nigerian economy.

The row between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery escalated on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after the union directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services, following the reported sack of at least 800 workers.

The development, union leaders said, amounted to a direct attack on workers’ rights and the freedom of association, following the mass enrollment of staff in PENGASSAN at the refinery.

The refinery’s management, however, insists that the dismissals were part of an internal restructuring exercise.

The company also resisted unionisation efforts by its workers, sparking accusations of anti-labour practices.

Speaking on the ongoing rift, Osifo, during an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, said Dangote is Sabotaging Nigeria’s economy despite benefiting from the country.

He said, “The person that is sabotaging our economy is Aliko Dangote. The man is who he is today because of Nigeria.

“Nigeria gave Dangote a single licence to import flour, sugar and salt.

“Dangote built his refinery with our money; the Nigerian government subsidised FX for him to build the refinery.”

The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries never worked.