The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared a nationwide strike, directing its members across the country to down tools following the controversial dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery.
The move, which begins on Sunday, September 28, 2025, is expected to disrupt crude and gas supplies to the refinery, with wider implications for Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.
Why PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike at Dangote Refinery
In a strongly worded circular issued after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigeria’s labour laws, constitutional provisions, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
The union alleged that the workers were dismissed for joining PENGASSAN, only to be replaced by “over 2,000 Indian expatriates.”
The circular, signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, stated that the strike was a necessary response to what it described as “an affront to all Nigerian workers” and an attempt to undermine unionisation rights guaranteed under law.
“All PENGASSAN members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00 hours on Sunday, 28 September 2025,” the letter declared.
“From Monday, 29 September, members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies are to down tools indefinitely. This strike will not end until the sacked Nigerian workers are reinstated.”
The association also directed international oil companies (IOCs) and local operators to suspend crude and gas supply to the Dangote Refinery.
It further announced 24-hour prayer vigils nationwide, stressing that the strike action was of urgent national importance.
Management of the Dangote Refinery has, however, denied carrying out a mass dismissal.
In a statement, the company said that only a “small number” of workers had been disengaged due to acts of sabotage that threatened operational safety.
According to the refinery, the decision was part of an internal reorganisation aimed at safeguarding its facilities and ensuring long-term stability.
Management insisted that the refinery remained one of Nigeria’s largest employers of local talent, with over 3,000 Nigerians currently in its workforce.
“The ongoing exercise is not arbitrary but necessary,” the company stated. “Our commitment to Nigerian workers remains firm, and we continue to provide opportunities through our graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment.”
The company also dismissed claims of discrimination, emphasising its compliance with international labour standards, including workers’ freedom to join unions.
Despite Dangote Refinery’s defence, the standoff with PENGASSAN has raised significant concerns.
Analysts warn that if the strike is fully implemented, it could disrupt operations at Africa’s largest refinery and exacerbate fuel market instability.
This latest development follows weeks of mounting tensions. Just days earlier, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) also accused the refinery of anti-labour practices, particularly regarding tanker drivers’ rights.
The dual confrontations have placed the facility at the centre of Nigeria’s labour and economic debates.
Union leaders argue that the refinery’s actions highlight a troubling trend of sidelining Nigerian workers in favour of foreign staff.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. No man is bigger than our country,” PENGASSAN declared, reiterating its resolve to protect the rights of its members.
The decision by PENGASSAN to declare a nationwide strike at the Dangote Refinery could have far-reaching consequences.
The refinery, with its 650,000-barrel-per-day capacity, is seen as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy independence agenda. Any prolonged shutdown could disrupt supply chains, worsen petrol scarcity, and place renewed pressure on pump prices.
Energy economist, Dr. Hassan Olanrewaju, noted that the strike could also test the government’s ability to balance industrial relations with its energy reform agenda.
“The refinery is critical to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined products. A labour crisis of this magnitude risks undermining those efforts and could even affect foreign investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” he warned.
The Federal Government has not yet issued an official statement but is expected to step in given the scale of the dispute.
Labour and employment authorities may be compelled to broker peace between the refinery and PENGASSAN to prevent an escalation that could cripple Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
Industry watchers argue that beyond immediate intervention, there is a need for clearer frameworks on expatriate employment, workers’ union rights, and refinery operations to prevent future disputes.
For now, the Dangote Refinery faces one of its most serious tests since commissioning.
While management insists the sackings were linked to sabotage, PENGASSAN maintains the dismissals were a direct response to unionisation efforts.
The nationwide strike, if fully observed, could paralyse refinery operations and deepen ongoing fuel supply challenges in the country.
With Nigerians already grappling with inflation and high energy costs, the outcome of this standoff will likely have significant social and economic impact.
One thing is clear: the face-off between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery has become a flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance industrial rights with economic reforms.
How both parties and the government navigate the crisis in the coming days will determine not just the refinery’s immediate future but also the stability of Nigeria’s energy sector.
