NSA Steps In as PENGASSAN, Dangote Refinery Hold Talks

The reconciliation meeting between the management of the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has been relocated to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The meeting, scheduled to address unresolved labour issues, began on Tuesday under tight security and behind closed doors, reflecting the sensitive nature of the dispute between one of Nigeria’s largest private sector employers and one of its most influential oil and gas unions.

Initially expected to take place at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the talks were shifted following consultations among government officials and industry stakeholders. Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi, who had been at the ministry earlier in the day, later moved with union representatives to the NSA’s office, signalling the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter.

The Roots of the Labour Dispute

At the centre of the disagreement are long-standing concerns raised by PENGASSAN over conditions of service, workers’ welfare, and adherence to labour laws at the Dangote Refinery. The union insists that despite the refinery’s potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, issues of fair treatment and labour representation must not be sidelined. Reports suggest that staff members have complained about contract terms, union recognition, and gaps in implementing collective agreements.

The refinery, on its part, has maintained that it is engaging with workers in good faith while also trying to stabilise operations at a time when global energy markets remain volatile. Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion project and Africa’s largest industrial complex, is seen as central to Nigeria’s ambition of achieving energy self-sufficiency. The refinery’s output is expected to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, save billions of dollars annually in foreign exchange, and create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly.

This makes the ongoing dispute especially delicate, as disruptions in the refinery’s workforce could have ripple effects on the wider economy. The intervention of the NSA underscores that beyond labour concerns, the stability of the refinery is tied to Nigeria’s economic and security priorities.

Government’s Delicate Balancing Act

By shifting the talks to the NSA’s office, the government appears to be signalling its readiness to mediate firmly and prevent any escalation that could threaten national economic stability. The involvement of the NSA also points to the dispute’s potential implications for national security, particularly if industrial unrest spills over into fuel distribution or supply chains.

For PENGASSAN, the meeting is a crucial test of whether the government is committed to defending workers’ rights in strategic sectors. The union has a history of mobilising quickly when its members’ welfare is threatened, and it remains one of the most powerful voices in Nigeria’s organised labour movement. Its actions often set the tone for other unions in the oil and gas industry, making the outcome of this reconciliation process one to watch closely.

For Dangote Refinery, maintaining labour peace is critical to meeting production targets and sustaining investor confidence. Any perception of instability could undermine the refinery’s role as a flagship project symbolising Nigeria’s industrial ambition.

As discussions continue behind closed doors, both sides are expected to present their demands and possible compromises. While details of the negotiations have not yet been disclosed, the government’s message is clear: a resolution must be reached in the national interest.

The refinery is still in its early years of operation, and how it handles its first major labour confrontation could set a precedent for future engagements with workers and unions. The government, for its part, faces the challenge of balancing its desire to support private investment with its duty to protect the rights of Nigerian workers.

For now, the meeting at the NSA’s office represents a crucial step toward de-escalating tensions. Whether it produces lasting solutions will depend on the willingness of all parties to find common ground.