The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing dispute over unionisation rights at the Dangote Refinery.

NUPENG had on Sunday announced plans to halt fuel loading nationwide beginning Monday, citing allegations that the refinery intends to prevent newly recruited drivers for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union.

In a statement issued on Monday, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, declared the association’s “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, stressing that the right of workers to unionise must not be undermined.

The senior staff union warned that if the impasse lingers, it could be compelled to take drastic measures, including shutting down operations at the refinery. “Should the situation persist without resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” the statement read.

PENGASSAN accused the refinery management of resisting union membership drives since inception despite multiple interventions. It noted that workers had been repeatedly denied access to both senior and junior staff associations, describing the stance as unacceptable.

The association insisted that NUPENG’s demand for full unionisation across the refinery and its affiliates aligns with Nigeria’s labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. It stressed that freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental rights that safeguard workers’ dignity, safety, and welfare.

While reiterating its support for NUPENG, PENGASSAN urged stakeholders to engage in urgent dialogue to avert disruptions in the oil and gas sector. “Failure to respect workers’ rights will have consequences beyond Dangote Refinery, affecting the entire industry,” it cautioned.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned all parties to a reconciliation meeting in Abuja as government moves to defuse the crisis.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says that the Federal Government’s intervention in the dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Refinery is beginning to produce constructive outcomes.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry confirmed that progress had been made through government engagements with key stakeholders and regulators in the downstream sector. These consultations are aimed at averting the planned industrial action centred on Dangote’s downstream operations.

Gillis-Harry highlighted concerns that Dangote Refinery’s push into refining, storage, logistics, and retail could marginalise existing players, including independent marketers and depot owners. PETROAN has therefore called for a stakeholder roundtable to define roles and ensure inclusive industry participation.

He emphasized the importance of union representation across all retail outlets to maintain pricing discipline and prevent exploitation. Without such measures, he warned that consumers could face variable pricing, with disparities of up to 150% between outlets.

In response to the ongoing tension, PETROAN announced a potential three-day suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing starting Tuesday, September 9, if no agreement is reached. The measure was intended as leverage to prompt dialogue rather than disrupt supply.

The National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) today formalized strategic partnerships with leading Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Victoria Hall, Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.

The ceremony, attended by top executives from the financial services sector, development partners, and key stakeholders, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive economic growth and unlocking access to finance.

Through this partnership, NCGC will provide credit guarantee solutions that de-risk lending to youth and women-led enterprises, while also supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), local manufacturers, and underserved credit consumers. By reducing barriers to finance, PFIs are better positioned to extend credit to underserved businesses and households, while NCGC absorbs a share of the risk.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo, Managing Director/CEO of NCGC, emphasized that the initiative is not just about signing documents it is about forging a bold partnership that will reshape how credit is accessed in Nigeria. He noted that MSMEs, which contribute nearly half of Nigeria’s GDP, have long faced barriers to affordable financing due to perceived risks. NCGC was established to bridge this gap through innovative guarantee products, including:

• Individual Guarantees for term loans (up to 5 years) and working capital (up to 24 months), ranging from ₦50 million to ₦10 billion
• Portfolio Guarantees with single obligor limits of ₦50 million and portfolio caps of ₦5 billion
• Partial Credit Guarantees covering up to 60% of loan value
• Co-Guarantees and Technical Assistance to support PFIs

Drawing inspiration from successful global models in India, South Korea, and the UK, NCGC is poised to catalyze inclusive growth and financial stability in Nigeria. The pilot phase will focus on high-impact sectors such as agriculture, fashion, green energy, export-oriented businesses, and education.

Ms. Tinuola Aigwedo, Executive Director of Strategy and Operations, in her interview with the press men, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative:

“This partnership is not just about financial inclusion it’s about economic empowerment. By unlocking access to credit for youth and women entrepreneurs, we’re laying the foundation for a more resilient and equitable economy.”

She reiterated that the onboarding of PFIs is a major milestone in fulfilling NCGC’s mandate, aligning directly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritizes youth empowerment, women’s economic inclusion, and support for local enterprises.

In his closing remarks, Professor Oseni, Executive Director of Risk & Credit Control, extended heartfelt appreciation to all PFIs present. He stated:

“We all need one another for the economy to grow. This partnership is the beginning of an exciting journey one that will bring finance to underserved communities and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

As part of this pilot phase, NCGC is committing ₦5 billion in credit guarantees to each onboarded Participating Financial Institution, specifically targeting women-owned and youth-led MSMEs. This bold investment is expected to stimulate job creation, strengthen value chains, and improve key financial metrics like credit-to-GDP ratio.

This MoU represents more than a legal agreement it’s a collective pledge to build a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem for Nigeria.

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National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC)

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