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National Industrial Court issues restraining order to halt PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery
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PENGASSAN cuts off crude and gas supply despite court ruling
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Dangote warns of fuel scarcity, power crisis if strike continues
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from carrying out its planned nationwide strike against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim granted the order on Monday, September 29, 2025, following an ex-parte application filed by Dangote Refinery through its counsel, George Ibrahim, SAN, of Ogwu James Onoja law firm.
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The court specifically barred PENGASSAN, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from cutting crude or gas supply to the refinery.
Despite the ruling, PENGASSAN went ahead with its directive, halting supply of crude and gas to Dangote Refinery. The union had accused the company of unlawfully sacking over 800 Nigerian workers and replacing them with foreign nationals, a move it described as a violation of Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, has paralysed operations at key oil and gas institutions, including NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA.
Oil marketers have already warned of looming fuel scarcity, while several thermal power plants supplying more than 70% of Nigeria’s electricity have reportedly begun shutting down.
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Dangote Petroleum Refinery, in a strongly worded statement, dismissed PENGASSAN’s claims as false and accused the union of unleashing “terror tactics” on Nigerians.
“Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our petroleum refinery. We have not replaced them with foreigners,” the company stated.
The management warned that the strike threatens the supply of petrol, diesel, kerosene, cooking gas, and aviation fuel, endangering hospitals, schools, transportation, and emergency services across the country.
“Would that justify holding over 230 million Nigerians to ransom by cutting off their essential supplies? The oligarchs in PENGASSAN have proved themselves to be terrorists. It is time they be called to order,” the company declared.
Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi has appealed for calm, convening an emergency meeting to resolve the standoff. He urged both parties to return to the negotiation table to prevent nationwide disruptions in fuel supply and further job losses.
