PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike Over Dangote Refinery Sackings
On September 28, 2025, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) initiated a nationwide strike in response to the alleged mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
The dispute began when Dangote Refinery issued a letter on September 24, 2025, terminating the employment of several staff members, citing alleged sabotage that threatened the operational safety of the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.
PENGASSAN contends that these dismissals were unjust and aimed at penalizing employees for their union membership. The union further alleges that the dismissed Nigerian workers were replaced with over 2,000 foreign nationals, predominantly from India, under the guise of a reorganization aimed at boosting safety and efficiency.
People’s Chronicles had earlier reported on the developing story:
PENGASSAN Orders Immediate Cut-Off of Gas and Crude Supply to Dangote Refinery
In an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 27, 2025, PENGASSAN resolved to withdraw its services nationwide. The union directed its members in field locations to cease operations from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and to commence 24-hour prayers. A complete nationwide shutdown across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies was ordered to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025. Additionally, PENGASSAN instructed all International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and its petrochemical operations.
The retrenchment of staff by Dangote Refinery has significant and far-reaching effects across multiple sectors in Nigeria. Retrenchments, create fear and uncertainty in the labor market that is already in shambles, further lowering morale and potentially reducing productivity.
Thermal power generation companies have raised alarms about the potential for a nationwide blackout, as gas suppliers have issued notices to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution. With thermal stations accounting for more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, the shutdown could trigger widespread outages, stretching hydroelectric plants beyond capacity and heightening the risk of a nationwide system collapse.
The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources has criticized PENGASSAN’s actions, describing the halt of gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery as detrimental to the nation’s energy independence. The committee has called for the suspension of the strike, urging all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the dispute. However, Nigerians responded to their criticism as misguided, and demanded that they call Dangote Refinery to order, complaining that Dangote Refinery is causing havoc to the tattered economy.
Dangote Refinery has condemned PENGASSAN’s actions, labeling them as a “brazen, albeit shocking, display of lawlessness and criminality.” The company maintains that the dismissals were part of an internal reorganization aimed at improving safety and operational efficiency, and it denies any violation of labor laws.
The union’s actions have garnered support from various labor and civil society groups. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed solidarity with PENGASSAN, condemning the alleged anti-union practices at Dangote Refinery. In a statement, NUPENG accused the refinery management of resisting the membership of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG since the refinery’s inception, despite several diplomatic interventions. NUPENG has pledged to join PENGASSAN in the strike action if the situation remains unresolved.
Furthermore, civil society organizations have rallied behind PENGASSAN, viewing the strike as a stand against labor exploitation and a call for the protection of Nigerian workers’ rights. These groups have organized protests and petitions urging the Nigerian government to intervene and ensure that Dangote Refinery adheres to labor laws and international labor standards.
The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight. The ongoing strike poses a significant challenge to Nigeria’s labor exploitative energy infrastructure and economy. Stakeholders from all sides are urged to engage in constructive dialogue to address the exploitative economy which seems to be the underlying issues and work towards a sustainable solution.
