The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has escalated its standoff with Dangote Refinery by ordering a total shutdown of gas and crude oil supply to the multi-billion-dollar facility.
In a letter signed by the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, on Friday, PENGASSAN accused the refinery of anti-labour practices and the unlawful disengagement of unionised workers.
The union also claimed the company had resorted to “misinformation and propaganda” instead of engaging in genuine dialogue.
According to the directive, all branch chairmen, particularly those at the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), must immediately halt gas supply to the refinery.
The order also extended to upstream and midstream oil firms, including Chevron, TotalEnergies, Shell Nigeria Gas, Seplat, Oando, and NGIC, instructing them to cut crude and gas flow to the facility and suspend all vessel loading operations.
PENGASSAN described the move as a necessary step to protect workers’ constitutional right to unionise, insisting that its members will not allow intimidation or victimisation.
Dangote Group, however, dismissed claims of mass layoffs, stressing that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the refinery.
The company maintained that only a few workers had been disengaged to prevent sabotage and safeguard refinery operations. It also reiterated that employees are free to decide whether or not to join a union.
The refinery, Africa’s largest, has faced repeated labour and operational challenges in recent months.
While PENGASSAN insists its latest directive is about protecting workers’ rights, industry watchers fear the shutdown could disrupt domestic fuel supply if the standoff lingers.
As of Saturday morning, there was no official government intervention announced, but energy experts expect authorities to step in quickly to prevent potential fuel market instability.
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