The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has shut down operations at the Dangote Refinery and its fertiliser plants, following the mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers allegedly for joining the union.
The shutdown took effect Sunday morning, with PENGASSAN confirming that the refinery plant is completely shut down, fertiliser Plant Train Two is also fully shut, train One is still operating at 60% capacity and the diesel plant continues to run for now.
The action comes ahead of a broader nationwide withdrawal of services by union members, which began at 12:01 am. on Monday, September 29, 2025, in line with directives from PENGASSAN’s national leadership.
PENGASSAN said the industrial action follows Dangote Refinery’s unilateral termination of over 800 Nigerian workers who had joined the union.
This, the union argues, is a direct violation of Nigerian labour laws, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.
Speaking after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, described the move as an “affront to all Nigerian workers.”
“This is a clear case of modern-day slavery in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Dangote’s actions show complete disregard for Nigerian labour rights,” Okugbawa said.
The union further accused Dangote Refinery of replacing the sacked Nigerian workers with 2,000 Indian nationals, despite benefiting from massive government incentives funded by taxpayer money.
“A country that has given Dangote the most generous incentives in Nigeria’s corporate history deserves loyalty, not betrayal,” PENGASSAN said.
As part of the strike action, PENGASSAN directed its members, including those in field locations, control rooms, and operations panels, to cease all services starting 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28. Members have also been asked to commence 24-hour prayers.
Additionally, the union resolved to halt all gas and crude supply to the refinery and called on International Oil Companies (IOCs) to begin scaling down gas production and supply to all Dangote energy operations.
