Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s most ambitious private oil project, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is reeling from a fast-deepening labour crisis after the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) late Friday night ordered an immediate cut-off of gas and crude oil supplies to the multi-billion-dollar facility.
In a directive that sent shockwaves through the energy sector, PENGASSAN instructed its members across the gas and oil supply chains to halt all deliveries to the refinery, including the shutdown of crude valves and suspension of vessel loading operations.
The union said the drastic measure followed the “unjust termination” of over 800 Nigerian workers and their alleged replacement with more than 2,000 Indian nationals, many reportedly lacking valid immigration documents.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe late-night order marks the sharpest escalation yet in a dispute that has been building all week. On Thursday, PENGASSAN accused Dangote management of breaching the Labour Act and the Trade Union Act by dismissing workers shortly after they unionised.
General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Ighótemu condemned the refinery’s actions as “capitalistic exploitation” and vowed that the union would pursue every legal avenue if the sacked workers are not reinstated.
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Dangote Refinery Sackings Deepen Labour Showdown Despite Management’s Denial
Dangote Management Pushes Back
In a statement issued Friday, Dangote Petroleum Refinery rejected accusations of anti-union bias, saying the dismissals were part of a “limited reorganisation” triggered by “intermittent acts of sabotage” that threatened safety and operations.
“Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our graduate trainee and experienced hire programmes,” management said, adding that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility. The company reaffirmed its recognition of workers’ right to unionise but stressed the need to protect the refinery from security risks.
National Stakes Rise
The gas shutoff raises immediate concerns for Nigeria’s energy security. The refinery, already battling repairs to its gasoline unit, could see production grind to a halt if the disruption persists, potentially leading to fuel shortages and price hikes across the country.
Labour ministry officials are expected to summon both sides for emergency talks this weekend as the federal government comes under pressure to enforce labour laws while safeguarding fuel supply.
What began as an internal labour disagreement has now become a nationwide flashpoint, testing Nigeria’s ability to balance workers’ rights, immigration oversight, and the stability of a refinery once celebrated as a cornerstone of the country’s energy independence.
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