Dangote–PENGASSAN faceoff raises fears of nationwide fuel disruption

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s fragile fuel supply chain faces a fresh threat as the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery escalates, raising fears of nationwide shortages.

On Monday, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, Abuja Division, issued an interim restraining order against PENGASSAN, stopping the union from cutting crude oil and gas supplies to Dangote Refinery.

The order, granted by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed an ex parte application filed by the company. The motion on notice is scheduled for hearing on October 13, 2025.

However, PENGASSAN’s leadership said the union was not aware of being served with the court process.

In an internal memo, its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Ighótemu Okugbawa, insisted the strike would continue, arguing that “no valid injunction has been formally communicated to the association.”

Also on Monday night, a high-level meeting convened by the Federal Government with PENGASSAN, Dangote Refinery, and key regulators ended in a deadlock. Another round of talks is scheduled for today in Abuja as authorities race to prevent a full-blown supply crisis.

The tension deepened after PENGASSAN ordered its members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to Dangote Refinery and withdraw services across companies, agencies, and field locations.

The union accused the refinery of sacking more than 800 Nigerian workers and replacing them with foreign nationals in violation of labour laws.

In its statement, PENGASSAN condemned what it described as “slave labour practices” and vowed not to relent until the sacked workers are reinstated.

“This move not only undermines the livelihoods of our citizens but also raises serious concerns about the integrity of labour practices and compliance with the Labour Act of Nigeria,” Okugbawa said.

The union further alleged that over 2,000 Indian workers, many without valid immigration documents, had been engaged in place of the displaced Nigerians.

“We will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers. The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect, and we demand accountability from employers,” the union added.

But Dangote Refinery fired back, accusing the union of resorting to blackmail and sabotage. In its response, the company described the directive to cut supplies as an attack on ordinary Nigerians.

“PENGASSAN has, by this Release, affirmed its decision to unleash terror. It has directed its members not to enable the production and supply by Dangote Refinery of basic petroleum products which Nigerians need for daily sustenance,” the refinery said.

The refinery denied allegations of mass sackings, insisting that only a “very small number” of workers were affected by an ongoing reorganisation.

“Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our refinery. These are all lies that have been consistently debunked. The exercise is not arbitrary but in the best interest of the refinery,” the company explained.

Dangote also questioned whether the union’s allegations justified a nationwide shutdown of fuel supplies.

“Would that justify holding over 230 million Nigerians to ransom by cutting off essential supplies of kerosene, cooking gas, petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel?” the refinery asked.

The federal government had assured that it is working to forestall disruptions, but observers fear the row could snowball if not quickly resolved.

The standoff has drawn widespread concern, with industry stakeholders warning that any disruption could cripple businesses, transport, and households already struggling with high energy costs.