The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the ongoing disagreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, calling for an urgent resolution to prevent disruptions in the nation’s refining sector.The lawmakers, during a plenary session on Tuesday, resolved to wade into the industrial dispute following a motion sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Mustapha from Kano State.
The motion, which received overwhelming support from members, emphasized the need for immediate parliamentary intervention to maintain industrial peace and ensure the continued operation of the refinery — a critical asset in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
According to Mustapha, the Dangote Refinery, being the largest single-train refinery in Africa, holds strategic importance to Nigeria’s economic diversification and energy independence. He noted that any industrial unrest at the facility could negatively impact fuel production, distribution, and pricing across the country.
“The Dangote Refinery is a national economic cornerstone, and any crisis within its workforce must be handled swiftly and carefully,” Mustapha said. “We cannot afford any form of disruption in operations, especially at a time when the nation is working to stabilize fuel supply and strengthen local refining capacity.”
The lawmaker disclosed that the dispute reportedly stemmed from disagreements over staff welfare, working conditions, and union representation. He urged both parties to embrace dialogue in the interest of national economic stability.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Upstream), Labour, Employment, and Productivity to interface with both the management of Dangote Refinery and the leadership of PENGASSAN. The committees are expected to report back to the House within two weeks on the progress made toward resolving the crisis.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, while ruling on the motion, described the matter as one of urgent national importance. He stressed that ensuring the smooth operation of the refinery was vital to Nigeria’s energy security and the broader economic reform agenda of the Federal Government.
“The Dangote Refinery represents a major private sector investment that has the potential to transform Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” Abbas said. “As lawmakers, we must ensure that issues between management and workers are resolved amicably to avoid setbacks to the country’s economic growth.”
The Speaker further appealed to the leadership of PENGASSAN to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation, assuring that the House would guarantee fairness and protect workers’ rights while safeguarding the refinery’s operations.
Reacting to the development, PENGASSAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, welcomed the lawmakers’ intervention, noting that the union was open to discussions that would protect the welfare and rights of its members. He explained that the association’s concerns were centered on staff treatment and compliance with labour laws.
“We are not against progress or private investment,” Okugbawa said. “Our goal is to ensure that Nigerian workers are treated fairly and that the laws guiding labour relations in this country are fully respected. We believe that dialogue remains the best path forward.”
A senior official from the Dangote Group, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also indicated that the company was ready to cooperate with the House committees and the union to find common ground. The official explained that the management values its employees and remains committed to creating a safe and productive work environment.
“Our priority is to maintain industrial harmony while ensuring that our operations continue to support Nigeria’s energy sector,” the official said. “We are optimistic that all outstanding issues will be resolved amicably.”
Analysts have welcomed the move by the House of Representatives, describing it as timely and necessary to avert a potential industrial crisis. Energy policy expert, Dr. Kola Akinyele, observed that the dispute, if not addressed swiftly, could affect Nigeria’s efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency and reduce import dependence.
“The Dangote Refinery is a game-changer for Nigeria’s petroleum sector,” Akinyele said. “This intervention by lawmakers is a crucial step toward maintaining stability, especially given the refinery’s importance in reducing fuel importation and stabilising domestic prices.”
He added that industrial disputes in such key sectors should be managed through dialogue and structured communication channels to ensure that both workers and investors remain motivated to sustain productivity.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed solidarity with PENGASSAN, stating that it will monitor developments closely. NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah, stated that the Congress was in support of fair labour practices and urged all stakeholders to act in the spirit of mutual respect and national interest.
As discussions are set to begin, stakeholders are optimistic that the intervention will lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The Dangote Refinery, commissioned in 2023, is currently ramping up production capacity with a target of supplying refined petroleum products to both local and regional markets.
If successfully mediated, the settlement could reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s local refining initiatives and demonstrate the government’s commitment to balancing investor interests with workers’ rights — a necessary step for sustainable industrial growth.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate