The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to cut off gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, escalating tensions between the union and the management of Africa’s biggest refinery project.
In a strongly worded directive issued on September 26, 2025, the association accused the refinery’s management of disengaging its members for exercising their constitutional right to unionise.
A Clash Over Workers’ Rights
PENGASSAN, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), said the Dangote Refinery has not only resisted union activities but has also engaged in “misinformation and propaganda” to justify what the union described as an illegitimate action.
According to the letter signed by General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, the refinery’s management has taken a hardline stance instead of addressing the grievances of workers constructively. The union stressed that the disengagement of its members violates labour rights guaranteed under Nigerian law.
Directives to Branches
In response, PENGASSAN’s National Secretariat ordered its branch chairmen across key energy companies including TotalEnergies, Seplat, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and NGIC to enforce the shutdown directive.
The letter ordered officials to shut all crude oil supply valves to the refinery and cut off gas supply from NGIC “effective immediately.” It also directed them to halt loading operations for vessels bound for the refinery without delay.
The instruction was addressed directly to NGIC Chairman, mandating him to ensure full compliance and report promptly on the progress of the directive.
Industry Implications
This development signals potential disruption in the downstream sector, given the scale and strategic importance of the Dangote Refinery to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain. By cutting off gas and crude oil flows, PENGASSAN is exerting pressure at the heart of the refinery’s operations.
For industry watchers, the standoff raises questions about industrial harmony in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector at a time when the country is banking on the Dangote Refinery to stabilise fuel availability, reduce imports, and strengthen energy security.
Moreover, this conflict highlights the growing tension between private sector-led mega projects and labour unions seeking to safeguard workers’ rights.
Injury to One, Injury to All
Reiterating its solidarity mantra, PENGASSAN ended the directive with its signature call: “Injury to one, injury to all.”
The union’s position underscores a wider principle: that any perceived attack on workers’ rights in one facility is an attack on the collective strength of Nigerian oil and gas workers nationwide.
As the standoff deepens, all eyes will be on whether Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s management will open dialogue or maintain its current position a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s energy sector.