The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the intervention of the Federal Government.

PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, announced the decision in Abuja on Wednesday after marathon negotiations involving government officials and representatives of the refinery that stretched into the early hours.

The strike, which began on Sunday over alleged anti-union practices at the refinery, had disrupted parts of Nigeria’s oil and gas operations before Wednesday’s truce.

Osifo, speaking at a press conference, said the union was suspending—not calling off—the strike out of respect for government institutions and the negotiation process.

“We are only suspending, not calling off this strike. If any part of this agreement is broken, we will not give any warning. We will immediately resume our suspended industrial action,” he warned.

He stressed that the dispute was rooted in the fundamental rights of workers to freedom of association and fair pay, insisting that the union’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Ministry of Labour in brokering a settlement, Osifo expressed deep skepticism about the Dangote Group’s sincerity.

“Yes, we understand that Dangote does not respect the rules of engagement. Yes, we know he wants to act above the law. We truly don’t believe he will keep his side of the bargain. But because we respect government institutions and those who laboured till 4 a.m. to resolve this matter, the NEC has decided to take the moral high ground and suspend the strike,” he said.

Osifo, however, reiterated that the union remained dissatisfied with aspects of the communique signed under government supervision.

“As an institution, are we completely happy with what was provided? The answer is no. But out of patriotism, we have suspended the action. If there is any slip, we will resume immediately without notice,” he declared.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, commissioned in 2023 with a touted capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has repeatedly clashed with oil sector unions. Its sister union, NUPENG, has also accused the conglomerate of anti-union practices in the past.