In a statement released by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed that the long-standing standoff was settled after extended conciliation meetings.

The Minister reaffirmed that unionisation is a legal right of Nigerian workers and must be respected.

Dangote Group has agreed to redeploy all disengaged staff to other companies within the group, with no loss of pay.

Both parties committed that no worker will be victimised for their involvement in the dispute.

PENGASSAN agreed to initiate the process of calling off the ongoing strike.

“All parties reached a mutual understanding in good faith,” the Minister said.

The resolution comes after an earlier meeting on Monday ended in a deadlock, stretching into the early hours of Tuesday without any agreement. Talks resumed later that day at the Office of the National Security Adviser, eventually concluding in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Federal Government was represented by a high-powered delegation including, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi. Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

The conflict stemmed from PENGASSAN’s allegations that the Dangote Refinery had unlawfully sacked union members and replaced some Nigerian workers with foreign nationals, a claim the company has consistently denied.

Government intervention was prompted by fears that the dispute could significantly disrupt Nigeria’s economy and energy supply chain.

With this breakthrough, both sides are expected to return to normal operations in the coming days.