The reconciliation meeting between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery ended in a deadlock.

The meeting, convened by the Federal Government, started at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday and lasted for about nine hours into the early hours of Tuesday.

Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkiruka Onyejeocha attended the meeting.

In his opening remarks, Dingyadi underscored the gravity of the situation, saying, “What’s happening today is very dear to our economy and to the security of the country. We have been informed that PENGASSAN is on strike.” He appealed to both parties to demonstrate good faith in dialogue, stressing that industrial peace in the oil and gas sector was critical.

The dispute centers on allegations by PENGASSAN that Dangote Refinery embarked on mass transfers and sackings of union members and replaced some Nigerians with foreign nationals, claims the company has consistently denied.

The deadlock means tension remains high, with PENGASSAN insisting its members will not return to work until alleged anti-labour practices are reversed.

Dangote Refinery maintains that its restructuring exercise is in line with global best practices. As the stalemate lingers, concerns are mounting about potential disruptions to refinery operations and the ripple effect on petroleum product supply. The meeting will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to resolve the deadlock.