National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has played a pivotal role in brokering peace between the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery, bringing an end to a dispute that had threatened industrial harmony in the sector.
Ribadu, who assumed the role of chief conciliator in the negotiations, steered discussions that culminated in a breakthrough after two days of intensive meetings. The Federal Government announced on Wednesday that both parties reached a mutually beneficial resolution under his guidance.
As part of the agreement, the Dangote Group committed to immediately redeploying the disengaged refinery staff to other companies within its conglomerate, ensuring no loss of pay. In return, PENGASSAN agreed to commence the process of calling off its strike action. Both sides also pledged that no worker would face victimisation for their role in the impasse.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, in a statement confirming the outcome, reaffirmed that unionisation remains a fundamental right of workers under Nigerian law, and urged all parties to uphold this principle.
Alongside Ribadu, other senior government officials present at the talks included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Dingyadi; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of State for Labour, Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; as well as the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
