Dangote fumes at union’s order to ground refinery
The $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery is facing a major labour crisis following the order by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria for its members across seven oil and gas firms to halt all crude oil and gas supplies to the massive facility.
The refinery, however, slammed the directive, which it described as criminal, lawless and economic sabotage.
At the heart of the crisis is the dismissal of 800 workers, whom the union said were laid off after exercising their constitutional right to join PENGASSAN.
The union alleged that the refinery flew in illegal Indian expatriates to operate in Nigeria’s sensitive energy sector.
It further accused the refinery of wage discrimination, revealing that while Nigerian engineers earned N385,000 monthly, their Indian counterparts were paid upwards of $5,000 (approximately N7.5m).
Crude, gas shutdown
In response to the mass sacking, PENGASSAN on Saturday issued a shutdown directive across its branches in major oil and gas companies, including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, Oando, Renaissance, and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.
The union’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, instructed the immediate stoppage of gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery.
“All crude oil supply valves to the refinery should be shut. Loading operations for any vessel headed to the refinery should be halted immediately. Injury to one is injury to all,” the memo stated.
PENGASSAN also said it would convene an emergency National Executive Council meeting to deliberate on the next phase of action.
Union sources confirmed that discussions centred on a potential nationwide strike should Dangote fail to reinstate the sacked workers and address the alleged injustices.
“Should they fail to reverse this barbaric action, the union will have no choice but to act,” said one senior union official. “This isn’t just about Dangote anymore—it’s about setting a precedent.”
Sunday societywatch gathered that the Nigeria Labour Congress, though not directly involved in the dispute, was monitoring developments pending a formal response from the Trade Union Congress to which PENGASSAN is affiliated.
