27th September 2025-Published by Cyril

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has condemned as “criminal and reckless” the directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) instructing its branches to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the 650,000 barrels-per-day plant in Lekki, Lagos.

In a statement released on Saturday, the refinery described the union’s order as an act of “economic sabotage” that could cripple operations, threaten the supply of essential fuels, and damage Nigeria’s economy.

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PENGASSAN had earlier directed its members in major oil firms, including TotalEnergies, Seplat, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to cut off crude oil valves, stop gas supply, and halt vessel loading operations bound for the refinery.

The union, currently in dispute with Dangote Refinery over the sack of about 800 workers, accused the company of anti-labour practices and vowed to enforce the shutdown order until its demands were addressed.

Dangote Fires Back at Union

Reacting strongly, Dangote Refinery insisted that PENGASSAN has no legal authority to interfere with existing supply contracts, stressing that Nigeria is governed by law and not “mob action.”

• “This is a brazen, shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN. No law gives the union the right to disrupt gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery or interfere with valid contracts,” the management stated.

The refinery further warned that enforcing the directive could plunge Nigeria into fuel scarcity, disrupt aviation services, and inflict severe hardship on households and businesses nationwide.

• “The refinery is a strategic national asset and one of the largest contributors to government revenue. Attempts to sabotage its operations are a disincentive to investors and a national embarrassment,” the statement added.

Dangote called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently intervene, urging Nigerians to resist what it termed a calculated attempt to inflict “unquantifiable hardship” on the population.

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The refinery also reminded PENGASSAN of its earlier pledge, made on September 26, to pursue necessary legal actions instead of resorting to what it described as reckless and unlawful self-help.

Rising Labour Tensions

The refinery’s restructuring exercise, which management said was necessary to curb sabotage and protect operations, has fueled tensions with the oil workers’ union. With PENGASSAN escalating pressure and Dangote vowing to resist, the dispute poses significant risks to Nigeria’s fuel supply and investment climate.

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