By Tgnews Reporter, Abuja
In a dramatic escalation of Nigeria’s brewing labor crisis in the oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued an immediate directive to its members to halt all gas and crude oil supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest refining facility.
The order, which threatens to grind operations to a standstill at the 650,000-barrel-per-day plant in Lagos’ Lekki Free Zone, stems from the refinery’s controversial dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers accused by the union of being targeted for unionizing.
The directive was conveyed in a strongly worded letter dated September 26, 2025, and signed by PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa.
Addressed to branch chairmen across key industry players—including TotalEnergies, Renaissance, Chevron, Shell Nigeria Gas, Oando, and Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited—the missive accuses Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s management of “anti-labor, insensitive, and unacceptable” practices, including a campaign of “misinformation and propaganda” to justify the sackings rather than engaging in dialogue.
“We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to being unionized,” the letter begins. It continues: “They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong.”
We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members
PENGASSAN’s instructions are unequivocal and far-reaching: “Consequent to these, you [are] hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC [Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company] effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut. The loading operation for vessel headed there should be halted immediately.” The letter specifically tasks the NGIC Chairman with ensuring gas cutoff compliance and demands prompt progress reports from all summoned chairmen, closing with the union’s rallying cry: “Injury to one, Injury to all.”
The refinery’s management confirmed the dismissals on Friday, September 26, framing them as a response to “sabotage” rather than union-busting efforts. However, PENGASSAN and labor activists contend that the firings—affecting nearly 90% of the workforce shortly after they voluntarily joined the association—violate workers’ rights under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and international labor standards.
Political commentator Imran Wakili amplified the controversy on social media, alleging the sackings were a pretext for “reorganization” to suppress unionization, a claim that has ignited widespread online debate and calls for federal intervention.
All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut
This standoff builds on simmering tensions between Dangote Group and oil unions. Just weeks ago, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) suspended a solidarity strike following government mediation, but PENGASSAN warned it could join full-scale action if union rights were not protected.
The refinery, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s push for energy self-sufficiency and export surplus, has already faced delays and disputes over feedstock access, making this labor rift particularly precarious at a time when the nation seeks to curb fuel imports.
Industry analysts warn that the supply cutoff could cascade into broader disruptions, affecting diesel, aviation fuel, and petrol production—products the refinery began outputting earlier this year. “This is not just a local dispute; it’s a test of labor laws in a sector critical to Nigeria’s economy,” said one expert, noting potential ripple effects on global oil markets given the facility’s scale.
This is not just a local dispute; it’s a test of labor laws in a sector critical to Nigeria’s economy
As of Saturday morning, PENGASSAN members were mobilizing to enforce the directive, with reports of initial compliance checks underway. Neither Dangote Petroleum Refinery nor the federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had issued an immediate response, though sources indicate emergency talks may be convened imminently.
The union has vowed to sustain the action until the workers are reinstated and meaningful negotiations begin, underscoring a deepening rift that could redefine labor relations in Africa’s oil giant.
